My life in this city has been a very fulfilling and meaningful one. I met my wife while we were studying at the Canterbury University 47 years ago and we have two children. Both of our children are in Auckland. Our experience in New Zealand is very different from most migrant families that came after us.
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As the Canterbury Migrants Centre Trust launches the first-ever migrant newspaper in the South Island, The Migrant Times editor Gaurav caught up with Christchurch's City Mayor Lianne Dalziel for a quick chat on her thoughts about the prevailing migrant issues in the city, and whether Christchurch is ready to accept, as well as culturally, socially and economically integrate migrants of different ethnicities within its folds.
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A multidimensional public art exhibition in the small rural town of Ashburton has detailed experiences of 22 [one anonymous] migrants of “integrating into a new community and creating a sense of belonging while negotiating their own identities in different communities”
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After Labour's ill-conceived Chinese surname saga, Finance Minister Bill English gave a hint about potential backlash (though, not in so much words) from the Chinese Government after returning from that country recently. But if Singapore example is anything to go by, protecting one's national interests (read - selling milk to China) without upsetting the Chinese Government (read - enforcing a stamp duty on foreigners buying property in Auckland) is certainly feasible.
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Co-organised by the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) South Island NZ and Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple (FGSBT) South Island, the residents of Christchurch were introduced to the ideals of Humanistic Buddhism at the Buddha's Birthday Festival Future & Hope Prayer Ceremony at FGSBT on May 14.
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Every year Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival, which started in 1972, focusses attention on the contributions made by the tradition-al Maori warrior dance to social cohesion, health and education outcomes. As the country celebrates Matariki, we also make a case for what the organisers of Te Matatini call "“underrating of the true values that kapa haka brings to the New Zealand society”.
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The reigning champions Irish Rovers, who won the trophy in 2015 as well, defeated Poland in the final of the Christchurch Global Football Tournament (CGFT) held at the Christchurch Football Academy on February 27.
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With thousands thronging the Riccarton Park Racecourse on March 6, the annual Canterbury Japan Day proved to be a hit with all age-groups. While kids had fun with Kantan – the official mascot and a very cute rabbit as well as with Origami – the traditional Japanese paper craft, the elders enjoyed trying their hands on the Japanese instrument Koto. Kite-making workshop by Mr. Modegi and Japanese calligraphy lessons were also widely hailed.
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Organised by the Christchurch City Council as part of its Summer Times programme, and ably supported by Plains FM - Canterbury’s only community access radio station, and Fendalton-Waimairi and Riccarton-Wigram Community Boards, the 2016 Culture Galore [an annual free outdoor multicultural festival] held on March 12 at the Ray Blank Park in Ilam, was a feast for all the senses.
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Even though limited availability of venue dictated preceding the celebrations by almost 20 days [Holi falls on March 23 this year], over 2000 people - Indians and non-Indians alike – ensured that the Garden City was second to none in colouring itself in the Holi [the Indian festival of colours] spirits on March 5 at The Commons in Christchurch's CBD.
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Going by the City Council's initial estimates, a record number – somewhere in the tune of 40,000 – people attended Christchurch's 10th lantern festival held over the last weekend of February in the North Hagley Park, making it a roaring success.
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A Civic Memorial Service was held on the Archery Lawn of Christchurch's Botanic Gardens at midday on February 22, to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2011 earthquake of 6.3 magnitude, which claimed 185 lives and was considered to be the country's worst natural disaster in more than 80 years.
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Americans are talking about it, some in UK are also sitting up and taking notice; it's time New Zealand also tackles Rugby safety issues head-on.
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As All Blacks selectors Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox name a mixture of experience and new talent for the three Steinlager Series Tests against Wales, time is right to look at the past contributions of Pacific Islanders who have enriched the all-conquering All Blacks legendary history.
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