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.

Bastille Day: The French unite

Bastille Day: The French unite

Migrants Centre
News, Ethnic communities

On July 14, 1789, the Parisian crowd seized the Bastille prison, a symbol of royal tyranny. Over all, the French Revolution was a movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799, and was against the feudal regime that had plagued the country for centuries before that.

The 400-strong French community of Christchurch got together on the two weekends in July at the Mt Pleasant Farmers Market to celebrate the Bastille Day.

Though the mood was a bit sombre because of the Nice attacks.

"the French Republic will endure on"

Lucile Fontaine-Berger, Director Alliance Française Christchurch, the language school promoting French culture in the city, said, “While such attacks are condemnable, I’m sure the French Republic will endure on.”

“This day marks the beginning of the French Revolution and establishment of the French Republic when thousands of my countrymen stormed the Bastille prison.” she added.
Lucile, who has been in Christchurch for a year now and has previously lived in Mexico and England, also shared her memories of celebrating the Day back home. “Of course it’s a day-off and we have fireworks and parades all over the country. Most notable is the Military Parade on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris.”

Multiculturalism: A's International Club Christchurch

Multiculturalism: A's International Club Christchurch
Migration: Economic benefits - the Reserve Bank's take

Migration: Economic benefits - the Reserve Bank's take