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.

Celebrating the Christchurch Bhutanese community and World Smokefree Day

Celebrating the Christchurch Bhutanese community and World Smokefree Day

Migrants Centre
The Third Sector

On Saturday June 4, 2016 more than 150 adults and children from the Christchurch Bhutanese community came together to celebrate their wonderful community and World Smokefree Day. The event was organised jointly by Christchurch Resettlement Services (CRS) and the Bhutanese Society of Christchurch, NZ.

Thanks to the generous support of Principal Matt Bateman, of Burnside Primary School, the event was held on the school grounds with the use of their school hall.  

As well as a table tennis tournament, there was a bouncy castle for the little ones, a number of sports to play and community members could ‘have a go’ at a variety of Crazy Bikes – some had never ridden a bike before!  The highlight of the day for many was the woman’s musical chairs competition!

Throughout the morning, Nepali speaking bilingual workers from CRS asked people a short quiz about tobacco to raise awareness about the ‘Smokefree Aotearoa NZ 2025’ goal.  This goal, set by the NZ government, aims to reduce smoking levels in NZ to below 5% of the population (currently around 17%) by 2025.

For information on how you can help NZ to become tobacco-free or for help to quit smoking visit www.smokefree.org.nz, contact Christchurch Resettlement Services, Ph 335 0311, or talk to your GP. This story and picture is courtesy CRS.

Treaty-based multiculturalism: One Voice forum highlights priorities

Treaty-based multiculturalism: One Voice forum highlights priorities
Multicultural Council recognises the community

Multicultural Council recognises the community