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.

World peace: Canterbury Interfaith Society prays for world peace

World peace: Canterbury Interfaith Society prays for world peace

Migrants Centre
The Third Sector

- led by Dame Susan Devoy, NZ Race Relations Commissioner

Organised by the Canterbury Interfaith Society (CIS), the annual prayers for world peace were held at the Peace Bell, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, recently, with around 100 people attending including the Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy. Notably, working with several groups, NZ Human Rights Commission had released a Statement on Religious Diversity in 2007, which encompasses international human rights treaties and NZ Bill of Rights Act. This was what led to the formation of CIS.

Surinder Tandon, who is also the President of Christchurch Multicultural Council, and has been representing the Hindu faith at CIS since its inception in 2008, noted, “New Zealand is country of diverse faiths, ethnicities and cultures. At CIS, we work together to promote greater understanding and harmony among diverse religious as well as ethnic communities, so that all our people enjoy the freedom to practise their faiths and cultures. It's a voluntary non-profit association of people representing diverse religious communities in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury Region. Today is our annual event celebrating and praying for world peace.”  

Members of the Canterbury Interfaith Society with NZ's Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy

Members of the Canterbury Interfaith Society with NZ's Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy

Susan Devoy at the World Peace Bell in Christchurch's Botanical Gardens

Susan Devoy at the World Peace Bell in Christchurch's Botanical Gardens

- This story and pictures are contributed by Dr Surinder Tandon, who is the representative of Hindu faith in the Canterbury Interfaith Society.

Click on the image to enlarge it and read the printed version of the article.

Pistang Pilipino Sa Wellington 2016

Pistang Pilipino Sa Wellington 2016
Canterbury Migrants Centre's Big Spring Carpark and Sausage Sizzle event

Canterbury Migrants Centre's Big Spring Carpark and Sausage Sizzle event