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.

Profile: Disabled Persons' Assembly New Zealand

Profile: Disabled Persons' Assembly New Zealand

Migrants Centre
The Third Sector

(caption for the above picture, which is courtesy Karim Baradi: Karim Baradi, Co-ordinator of DPA Christchurch & Districts, since 2007; he has earlier worked for the Deaf Society of Canterbury)


  "The two biggest hurdles we face in Christchurch, especially during the rebuild, is to ensure that all new buildings are disabled-friendly, and employers are willing to give jobs to people with disability. We, as a country, have come a long way in the last 30-40 years but still a lot of work needs to be done," he says. "Over 20-25 percent of our population suffers from some kind of disability. So it's important that disabled issues are at the forefront of decision-making.” - Karim Baradi 

Disabled Persons' Assembly NZ (DPA) is a national lobby and advocacy organisation that promotes the issues facing disabled people. It works to improve access and rights for disabled people in six key areas including:

  • human rights,
  • employment,
  • health,
  • transport,
  • education and
  • access.

It is recognised by the Central Government as the voice of people with disability in New Zealand.

“Our core function is to help engage the New Zealand disability community to listen to the views of disabled people and articulate these as we work with decision makers, both at the local government and national level,” adds Baradi.

"..voice of people with disability in New Zealand.."

“Disabled people if given opportunities and support can be very effective professionally. Take my case for example. I am partially deaf. So when I joined DPA, I was given a special hearing aid which I could fit in my phone. I also needed extra help during meetings with the use of sign language and notes taking, as I was unable to follow what everyone was saying. But with all that support, I have been a very productive DPA employee over the last decade.”    

Discussion: Eighth Annual Regional Refugee Forum

Discussion: Eighth Annual Regional Refugee Forum

Gender: IWD 2017 campaign theme - #BeBoldForChange

Gender: IWD 2017 campaign theme - #BeBoldForChange