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.

Family: Overhaul of family violence laws

Family: Overhaul of family violence laws

Migrants Centre
Community organisations, News

(Ministry of Social Development's Are You OK campaign)

The John Key led National Government has announced an overhaul of New Zealand’s family violence laws which will see more support for victims and new offences introduced.

“New Zealand’s rate of family violence is unacceptable. Police currently respond to 110,000 family violence call-outs a year. Children are present at nearly two-thirds of these incidents. There are too many Kiwi households stuck in a life of fear and despair. They need help to stop the violence and repression so they can lead healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives," noted the PM while announcing the changes.

This comes after a two year review of family violence laws by Justice Minister Amy Adams, which will see more than 50 changes to the current Domestic Violence Act.
Some of the new measures, which will cost around $130 million over four years. include:

• Making the safety of victims a principal consideration in all bail decisions, and central to parenting and property orders.

• Flagging all family violence offending on criminal records to ensure Courts and Police know when they are dealing with people with histories of family violence.

• Creating new offences of non-fatal strangulation and assault on a family member, with tougher sentences than common assault. Coercion to marry will also be criminalised.

• Enforcing tougher penalties for people who commit crimes while subject to a Protection Order.

“The new measures are focused on faster and more effective intervention. We have to get better at identifying dangerous behaviour that can escalate into more serious violence much earlier. The challenge of reducing family violence lies with all of us, with the Government, the Police, social agencies, and with everyone who knows that violence is occurring," Key added.

Children: NZ to get it's first child sex offender register

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley has announced that New Zealand’s first child sex offender register will soon get under way, following the passing of enabling legislation. The Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament, with the register set to commence 30 days after Royal assent is granted. Offenders will be required to be on the register for a term of life, 15 years or eight years depending on their offence and the sentence imposed.

English Corner: Shrink, Shrank, Shrunk – know your verbs

English Corner: Shrink, Shrank, Shrunk – know your verbs
Consumers: Recalls.govt.nz a hit

Consumers: Recalls.govt.nz a hit