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.

TasiNZ celebrated Ugadi - the Telugu New Year in Christchurch last month

TasiNZ celebrated Ugadi - the Telugu New Year in Christchurch last month

Migrants Centre
Ethnic communities

TasiNZ, or the Telugu Association of South Island New Zealand, an informal group in existence since 2006, celebrated Ugadi - the Telugu New Year in Christchurch last month. Ugadi, as it is called in the Deccan region of India, marks the commencement of the Hindu New Year by recognising a change in the lunar orbit. (picture credit: TasiNZ)

It also signals the advent of Spring. The first day of bright half of the lunar month Chaitra is considered to be the day for Ugadi celebration, which generally falls in the months of March/April of the English calendar. Diwakar Kandula, a researcher at the Lincoln University, and one of the founding members of TasiNZ, informed, “We had 80 people attending the festivities, which included prayers, dance and Telugu song performances. The evening ended with dinner. This year, we also appreciated the achievements of our children in academics, sports, and extra curricular activities, by distributing certificates of excellence.”

The City dances to Indian classical tunes

The City dances to Indian classical tunes
Celebrations: Zimbabwe's 37th Independence Day celebrated in Canterbury

Celebrations: Zimbabwe's 37th Independence Day celebrated in Canterbury