The Zimbabwe High Achievers Awards Dinner was held at Papanui Workingmen's Club in Christchurch November 19, 2016. The event was the first of its kind and was well attended with over140 people present. This event was sponsored by the New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF)'s African Programme popularly known by its brand name Love Cover Protect (LCP).
Read MorePresented in the Vietnamese language, the Plains FM96.9 radio programme “Nhip Cau Thong Tin” (“Making Connections”) provides the opportunity to obtain information on settling and integrating into a new country for Vietnamese people living in Canterbury, as well as possible immigrants still living Vietnam who are being given access to podcasts of the show. Some of them download the podcasts and listen to them in their own time.
Read MoreThe South West Baptist Church in Christchurch had an amazing Christmas Grotto this time. Your newspaper shares some of its highlights. One picture is of the Church members singing Christmas carols.
Read MoreChina-NZ relations have grown impressively since the FTA of 2008; It's a comprehensive and strategic partnership now; Challenges on One China policy and South China Sea remains; Consulate General's office in Christchurch represents the Chinese Government in the South Island; The Chinese community in New Zealand doesn't face widespread discrimination; It's not racism. It's not a widespread problem. Just few cases here and there; We are concerned about the recent physical attacks on the Chinese community and want to see those cases dealt with promptly by the New Zealand Government organizations; It's in everyone’s interests to see more Chinese visitors coming to New Zealand and the New Zealand government has made it very clear that they welcome all foreign visitors including Chinese visitors here
Read MoreThe occasion was the last meeting for the year 2016 for all advisors of the Philippines Community Support Services (PCSS) in Christchurch. Aside from the Ambassador addressing the gathering, Tara Ross of the University of Canterbury, also handed over the result of the UNESCO NZ research project to PCSS that looked into the information gaps of the Filipino migrants in Christchurch.
Read MoreThree place names in North Canterbury containing the word ‘n*****’ will be changed to reflect the offence caused by that word, Land Information Minister Louise Upston has announced. The new names will be listed in the Gazetteer, the official record of New Zealand place names, on December 15, 2016.
Read MoreMarking 70 years of something is no mean feat. Especially in the rapidly changing modern life with so many distractions all around. But Christchurch’s Annual Santa Parade achieved that on December 4. Though with time, the event has become more multicultural in nature, with Indian, Chinese, Nepalese and Fiji floats proving to be great crowd pullers.
Read MoreThe Migrant Times was launched in June. We have published 13 issues till now. Our aim has been to put in the mainstream - the issues, news, views, struggles, successes, and celebrations of the migrant communities in New Zealand. Below we recap what all we published in the year 2016.
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On December 3, 2016, Christchurch's annual Korean culture festival titled“Taste of Korea” was held at the City's Cathedral Square. Organised by the Korean Society of Christchurch, the K-Culture Festival is a good example of a migrant community sharing its unique culture with the local society as a way to maintain its roots and celebrate diversity and co-existence. This year’s event included a special guest performance from Seoul – The International Youth Arts Troupe – along with the traditional performances put on by members of the local Korean community to offer audiences a tantalising taste of Korean culture.
Read MoreMarlene Isaks has been the voice of Africans living in Canterbury for seven years through her programme, “African Flava”, which is broadcast fortnightly on the community radio station, Plains FM96.9. Born in South Africa, Marlene came to New Zealand with her parents 13 years ago and began the show in 2010 as “South African Flava”, when it was sponsored by Safari Meats.
Read MoreAt the end of November, Citizens Advice Bureau (Christchurch area) hosted a seminar for migrants at the Ashburton Seniors’ Centre on the topic “Policing in New Zealand.” The event was attended by approximately 65 people, the majority of whom were Filipinos working in the dairy industry in Ashburton and neighbouring areas. The new Mayor of Ashburton, Donna Favel, and Councillors Thelma Bell and Selwyn Price, also attended.
Read MoreAn English class for migrants in Waimakariri district has attracted six students from Colombia, Thailand, Japan and France. Recent work by the Waimakariri District Council’s community team in organizing get together for our migrants resulted in the class where ESOL teacher Jude Archer provides tuition. Meeting weekly on a Thursday morning upstairs in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre the class practise and improve their conversation skills.
Read MoreCanterbury’s Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to drive with caution while the Lewis Pass alternate highway (State Highway 7) remains the main route between Picton and Christchurch. The Lewis Pass/ Murchison alternate highway is likely to remain the only highway for some time, while the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) continue to clear slips generated by the Kaikoura earthquakes.
Read MoreIssues of international students coming to New Zealand, which adds almost $3b to the country’s economy annually, is a hot topic in the country now. All the more when hundreds of students from India are being deported on charges of providing false information to the authorities here. Set in this context was the December 5, public meeting organised by the Ministry of Education in Christchurch to deliberate ideas on improving on the draft “international student wellbeing strategy”. When in force, the strategy will update the Leadership Statement for International Education announced in 2011.
Read More- this came out at the Lincoln University Dairy Farm Open Day held on November 19; the 186 hectare irrigated property, of which 160 hectares is the milking platform, is a former University sheep farm
Read MoreCelebrate Bishopdale 2016 was the fourth instalment of the local festival in the Bishopdale suburb of Christchurch. Every year, the event is organised by the Christchurch City Council’s Fendalton/Waimairi Community Governance staff in partnership with the Bishopdale Community Trust. Funding is provided by the Fendalton/Waimairi Community Board. This year, the stage performances started with Isleworth School Kapa Haka; and included Nor'West Brass Band and a dance act by the Christchurch Zhonghua Chinese Society. In all, there were over 30 market stalls for the local community to buy some Christmas gifts.
Read More- he spoke to The Migrant Times after successfully organising the Bank's fourth Migrant Expo, held at the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau, Auckland on November 5
Around 5,000 visitors attended the event, which started as a pilot three years ago. Last year, the event moved to Sky City and was organised as a family fun day with over 120 stalls.
Read MoreClive Antony is a man on a mission. The young University of Canterbury business management student, whose parents immigrated to New Zealand from Kerala in India 25 years ago, is taking the established street wear brands such as Huffur and RTM, in his bid to provide the Kiwi youth what he calls “the ethical alternative”.
Read MoreA major road safety campaign to help visitors understand and prepare for driving in New Zealand is now underway, Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss announced on November 25. “Summer is on its way and so are many international visitors. New Zealand roads can be challenging, particularly in and around some of our most popular tourist spots. The campaign focuses on the Visiting Drivers Project areas of Otago, Southland and the West Coast, and uses billboards, posters, digital advertising and social media to spread road safety messages," noted the Minister.
Read MoreChristchurch suffered a major earthquake in 2011. Northern Canterbury, particularly Kaikoura, did so on November 14. Five years back, several - more than 60 - agencies and migrant associations got involved and guaged whether the City's earthquake response was adequate. Some key learnings were presented as a result. We present some excerpts from that Report. Question is, have we learnt something from the past?
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