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.

Funds: Community embarks on a $1.2 million fund-raising drive for the Indian Centre in Christchurch

Funds: Community embarks on a $1.2 million fund-raising drive for the Indian Centre in Christchurch

Migrants Centre
Ethnic communities, Community organisations, News

(caption for the above picture: The trustees of the Canterbury Indian Community Centre Trust)

The recently incorporated Canterbury Indian Community Centre Trust (CICCT) has started raising funds to make the dream of an Indian community centre in Christchurch a reality in the next two years. The Trust hit the ball rolling on April 8 in a specially organised ghazal and old Hindi melodious songs night, where the attendees were introduced to the objectives of CICCT by Ponnuram Venu Gopal, one of the its trustees.

“The Indian Community Centre will be a place of Indian identity, where we can host community events; family functions; as well as language, arts and music classes. Our organisation is non-religious and non-regional, and has come into existence solely for making the Indian community centre a reality,” he added.

CICCT has estimated that the Centre will cost almost $1.2 million. It is also envisaged to provide sports facilities, as well as host a library on Indian culture and history, and a small museum depicting the journey of Indians in the South Island.

Rajiv Gulati, another trustee, who also launched the organisation's website [cicc.org.nz] on this occasion, and introduced all the 13 trustees to the wider community, added, “Anyone who wants to help can make monthly contributions, and spread awareness about this initiative. We will also be organising special events similar to today's song night, as well as garage sales, to raise funds for this initiative.”

Funds: Grants for community groups

Funds: Grants for community groups
Islamic arts display - for those who missed out!

Islamic arts display - for those who missed out!