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.

Market: Latino summer celebrations

Market: Latino summer celebrations

Migrants Centre
Ethnic communities, Community organisations

[caption for the above picture: The event was hosted by the Aotearoa Hispanic Association on February 25 at the Arts Centre (The Gym) in Christchurch]

The event had some fantastic latino music, food, arts and crafts; and the vibrancy of colourful hispanic culture. There were latino dance workshops by Latinzone, music being played by DJ Reuben, as well as a bar serving fantastic Latino cocktails.

Denise Lovato, President of the Asociacion Hispanica Aotearoa or Aotearoa Hispanic Association (AHA) informed, "The outdoor programme included a fire show and Spanish guitar performance by Sergi and Santiago. This time we also had a Merengue workshop byh Salsa Latina."

El Jaguar, who is hosting a City Bus Tour this month on Tuesdays and Fridays, based on "alternative facts", which he says, can be lies, half-truths, or real facts; the city's only masked Mexican wrestler; real name Derek Flores, who was born in Cana…

El Jaguar, who is hosting a City Bus Tour this month on Tuesdays and Fridays, based on "alternative facts", which he says, can be lies, half-truths, or real facts; the city's only masked Mexican wrestler; real name Derek Flores, who was born in Canada and has Guatemalan ancestory, and moved to New Zealand eight years ago; teaches improp comedy, and can be found in comedy clubs; his partner Michi is the sound producer and technician working behind the scence during the bus tours.  

AHA was established in 2014 to promote Latin American and Spanish culture through offering activities and services in Canterbury.

"The Hispanic world is unified by its main official language, but it also represents a rich and complex and mix of ethnic, cultural, linguistic, political and religious practices which in certain regions span centuries of history," added Lovato, who is from Argentina and moved to New Zealand in 2002.  

Multiculturalism: Festival of Nations

Multiculturalism: Festival of Nations
Christchurch Hare Krishna Centre's Revival

Christchurch Hare Krishna Centre's Revival