Dear readers, we are happy to inform that we have finished analysing the feedback on our last year’s pilot launch of Multicultural Times (MT), New Zealand’s first nation-wide multicultural newspaper. As was the case with our Christchurch-based multicultural newspaper, The Migrant Times (TMT), MT too received innumerable accolades, appreciation and love from all of you. We are also very grateful to various communities, leaders, decision-makers and organisations from across the country who have shown immense faith in the idea of MT, and TMT before that. Based on the feedback, and after a lot of introspection, we have taken two strategic decisions to ensure that we continue to lead New Zealand’s journalism landscape towards diversity and innovation, while staying true to the basic tenets of the fourth estate. 1) The future of journalism is digital. We will continue publishing MT on our various digital media platforms and will cease publication of our print version. The reach, engagement and scope of innovation in the digital space is far superior to print. The financial viability is also superior in digital, due to the trade-off between the cost of production and results achieved. A better reach, engagement, innovation and viability, will ultimately lead to better-quality journalism for our society. 2) The future of journalism is data and artificial intelligence (AI). We are exploring how to use open data and natural language generation techniques to generate quality content and narrative stories, pertaining to local issues relevant to people’s everyday lives. We are immensely excited.

Stay tuned.

Lunar New Year: Cultures of China, Festival of Spring - held in Christchurch

Lunar New Year: Cultures of China, Festival of Spring - held in Christchurch

Migrants Centre
Ethnic communities, Community organisations, News

On February 7, the “Cultures of China, Festival of Spring” performance was held in the Royal Issac Theatre in Christchurch. Along with over a thousand overseas Chinese, those who attended included Chinese Consul General in Christchurch Jin Zhijian, Labour MP Megan Woods, Mayor David Ayers of Waimakariri District, Mayor Donna Favel of Ashburton District, Mayor Winton Dally of Hurunui District, and Christchurch City Councillor Jimmy Chen.

Chinese Consul General in Christchurch Jin Zhijian, with Labour MP Megan Woods (in centre)

Chinese Consul General in Christchurch Jin Zhijian, with Labour MP Megan Woods (in centre)

During the two and half hour performance, 40 artists presented more than 20 programmes. Most notable among those were the “Face Changing” act of Sichuan Opera, the acrobatic “Balancing on Pipes” act, and singing performances by Yang Hongji and Yin Xiumei.

Consul General Jin in his remarks expressed warm welcome to the art troupe, which came all the way from China to perform. “Culture serves as a spiritual bond among Chinese worldwide, and is also the bridge of understanding and friendship linking different countries and ethnicities.  Today's performance concludes the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Christchurch. I wish you all an auspicious Year of the Rooster.”

Labour MP Megan Woods in her remarks appreciated the harmony among multi-ethnicities in Christchurch and the important contributions made by the Chinese communities to the cultural diversity of the city. She also conveyed the Lunar New Year greeting by Labour Party Leader Andrew Little to the audience.

Meanwhile, Liu Jikun, head of the art troupe, informed, “Since 2009, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of China has dispatched 'Cultures of China, Festival of Spring' art troupes to various places worldwide during spring festival seasons. This is being done to showcase the Chinese culture to the world, as well as send good wishes to the overseas Chinese community.”

The evening ended with Hu Anqi, head of the New Zealand North South Business Inc. and the coordinator of the performance, thanking the art troupe for their visit and all the volunteers for their contributions.

- The above story and pictures are courtesy the Chinese Consulate in Christchurch.

New citizens: Waitangi Day Citizenship Ceremony 2017 held at Tuahiwi marae

New citizens: Waitangi Day Citizenship Ceremony 2017 held at Tuahiwi marae

Cinema: French film festival at Hoyts Northlands

Cinema: French film festival at Hoyts Northlands