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.

Stop the sexual abuse: MSSAT completes 20 years

Stop the sexual abuse: MSSAT completes 20 years

Migrants Centre
Community organisations, News

(caption for the above picture: Sir Mark Solomon, addressing the gathering on March 24, in Christchurch at the event marking 20 years of MSSAT)

About MSSAT:

"Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust (MSSAT) started in 1991 in Christchurch when a client asked his Counsellor how he could go about meetingother men who had experienced similar childhood trauma. Together they formed a support group and in 1997 members of that group registered MSSAT as a Charitable Trust.

In recent years MSSAT has been instrumental in the establishment of MSSAT Auckland and MSSAT Waikato who both operate as independent Trusts but with the same principles and objectives of MSSAT. Support groups for male survivors, their parents and partners are held in Nelson and Wellington.

All MSSAT organisations offer one to one, peer and group support for survivors and their significant others.  Group support and the validation from other men is very empowering for recovering survivors. As abuse usually takes place in isolation healing works well with others."

"I have story of child abuse in my family. In general, when such cases some up, the family is divided into three camps. First is those who are fighting for the victim, second is those fighting for the perpetrator, and third, and the worst of all, are those who want to brush everything under the carpet. I have chosen to be in the first camp. Never again, will I keep silent on these issues. With the worst statistics of family violence in the OECD, I feel ashamed to be a New Zealand male." - Sir Mark Solomon

Ken Clearwater, manager at MSSAT and national advocate for male survivors of sexual abuse  

Ken Clearwater, manager at MSSAT and national advocate for male survivors of sexual abuse  

"We really need men to be standing up and helping other men and boys. The only way to heal is if male victims share their emotions. We deal with age groups ranging from 6 to 70. We carry our own hurt so at times it's difficult to do this work." - Ken Clearwater

"The journey to become a survivor from being a victim is very important. And I can tell you from experience that it's difficult. While I am happy to be here at the 20th anniversary, I don't want to come to the 40th one. Let's change the society for better so that we don't need organisation such as MSSAT to help the victims." - Labour MP Ruth Dyson

"It takes courage to do what Sir Mark is doing, and come out against your own family members." - Minister Nicky Wagner

"I congratulate MSSAT on reaching this milestone." - Andrew Turner, Deputy Mayor, Christchurch

A Kiwi's trip of a lifetime: To The Gambia in West Africa; and Dubai, Jordan, Israel and Palestine in the Middle East; via London

A Kiwi's trip of a lifetime: To The Gambia in West Africa; and Dubai, Jordan, Israel and Palestine in the Middle East; via London
Community radio: Faka’amanaki - Tongan radio programme

Community radio: Faka’amanaki - Tongan radio programme