Eleanor Thompson By Eleanor Thompson, Managing Editor, NZB News
Published: March 8, 2025
Auckland, New Zealand – In an era where global connectivity and community-driven narratives shape the media landscape, New Zealand Bharat News (NZB News) has emerged as a beacon of inclusive journalism. Launched in 2024 as a digital platform dedicated to bridging cultural divides and empowering diverse voices, NZB News has rapidly grown into a vital source of information for New Zealand’s multicultural population, with a particular focus on the Indian diaspora. As of March 2025, there are over 110,000 subscribers all over the world! The portal stands as a testament to the power of technology, community engagement, and high-quality journalism tailored for everyone.
History and Evolution
NZB News was founded by Shivaprasad T.R., who serves as Managing Director and CEO of Bharat1 Group and Editor and Owner of NZB News. The initiative began as a modest online hub aimed at providing a platform for the Indian community in New Zealand to share stories, insights, and cultural perspectives often overlooked by mainstream media. Drawing inspiration from the growing multicultural fabric of New Zealand—where nearly 17% of the population identified as Asian in the 2023 census—NZB News quickly expanded its scope to encompass a wide array of topics, from technology and science to arts and sports.
The platform’s technological backbone, including its AI-powered Web Feed Bot (WiDesAI), developed by NZB News, has revolutionized content aggregation. Since its integration in mid-2023, WiDesAI has enabled real-time web scraping and publishing, ensuring readers receive the latest updates with unprecedented efficiency. This innovation has positioned NZB News as a pioneer in leveraging technology to democratize journalism.
The Authors: A Diverse Collective
At the heart of NZB News is its talented pool of authors, each bringing expertise and passion to their respective fields. The current roster includes:
- Shivaprasad T.R.: Managing Director and CEO of Bharat1 Group, Editor and Owner of NZB News, overseeing the strategic vision with a background in media and community empowerment.
- Eleanor Thompson: As Managing Editor, Eleanor drives editorial standards, ensuring accuracy and depth across all articles.
- Vinay Karanam: A specialist in Hindu, multicultural, community, technology, science, and defence articles, Vinay enriches the platform with nuanced perspectives.
- Tracey: A financial, international trade, and political affairs analyst, Tracey provides critical insights into global economic trends affecting New Zealand.
- Kara: With a focus on sports, outdoors, adventures, and fitness, Kara celebrates New Zealand’s active lifestyle.
- WiDesAI (kiwi Desi AI Bot): An AI-powered contributor responsible for web scraping and publishing, symbolizing the fusion of technology and journalism.
- Sushma Prajwal: A travel, foodie, and lifestyle enthusiast, Sushma explores New Zealand’s culinary and cultural offerings.
- Seraphina: An arts, literature, music, dance, and cultural articles specialist, Seraphina highlights the nation’s creative heritage.
- Imogen King: With interests in political science, business, and international affairs, Imogen offers authoritative commentary on global issues.
- Mahesh: A movies buff and OTT addict, Mahesh reviews the latest entertainment trends.
- Vincent Mathews: A techie, science, and gaming enthusiast, Vincent delves into cutting-edge innovations.
- Marcus Trifalour: Passionate about culinary and lifestyle delights, Marcus brings a flavorful perspective to the platform.
- Genevieve Montgomery: A history, architecture, and civilisation expert, Genevieve explores New Zealand’s rich past.
- Dorothy Brown: With interests in religion, culture, social behaviour, and group theory, Dorothy offers insightful social commentary.
- Shirish Narsapur: A practising orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine consultant working free-lance across 3 cities and 2 countries, Shirish is a passionate writer and self-published author, currently awaiting acceptance of his books for publication as of March 5, 2025.
- Sushma Nagaraj: A Bharata Natyam and Carnatic music teacher who practises yoga and meditation every day, Sushma shares cultural and wellness insights.
- Theodora: A writer focused on wildlife conservation, activism, sustainability, and nature, Theodora advocates for environmental stewardship.
This diverse team reflects NZB News’s commitment to representing New Zealand’s multicultural society, with recent additions like Shirish Narsapur and Theodora broadening its scope as of early 2025.
Purpose and Impact
NZB News’s mission is twofold: to empower individuals through accessible journalism and to foster a sense of community among New Zealand’s diverse populations. The platform’s community-driven model allows readers to contribute articles, comment on content, and engage in discussions, creating a participatory media ecosystem. This approach has resonated widely, with over 50,000 unique visitors recorded in February 2025 alone, according to internal analytics.
The impact of NZB News extends beyond readership numbers. By providing a space for underrepresented voices—such as the Indian diaspora, which contributes significantly to New Zealand’s economy with an estimated NZD 3.5 billion in annual remittances—NZB News has influenced local policy discussions on multiculturalism. Its focus on technology, exemplified by WiDesAI, has also set a benchmark for how AI can enhance journalistic integrity rather than compromise it, aligning with global trends where AI adoption in media grew by 25% in 2024, per industry reports.
Engagement Opportunities
NZB News invites community participation at multiple levels:
- Commenting: Readers can join the conversation by registering on the portal (https://nzb.news) with a valid email. Comments are moderated to maintain quality and respect, with guidelines updated in January 2025 to encourage constructive dialogue.
- Writing Articles: Aspiring writers can submit pitches via the “Contribute” section. Accepted authors, like Shirish Narsapur, who is awaiting publication of his books as of March 5, 2025, receive editorial support to refine their work.
- Posting Ads: Businesses and individuals can advertise by contacting the editorial team at [email protected], with rates starting at NZD 50 for a standard banner ad, supporting the portal’s sustainability.
Quality Journalism in a Community-Driven Space
In an age of misinformation, NZB News prioritizes factual reporting and diverse perspectives. Its community-driven model ensures content reflects real experiences, while editorial oversight—led by Eleanor Thompson—maintains journalistic standards. The integration of technology, such as WiDesAI, enhances efficiency without sacrificing human insight, embodying the ethos of “technology for everyone, empowerment for all.” This balance has earned NZB News recognition as a trusted source, with a 2024 reader survey indicating 85% trust in its content.
Looking Ahead
As NZB News enters its second year, its growth trajectory suggests a bright future. With plans to expand its author network and introduce a mobile app by mid-2025, the platform aims to deepen its impact. For now, it remains a vital space where New Zealand’s multicultural narrative thrives, driven by technology and empowered by its community.
Excerpt: New Zealand Bharat News (NZB News) stands as a pioneering community-driven platform, blending technology and diverse voices to deliver high-quality journalism. Founded in 2022 by Shivaprasad T.R., Managing Director and CEO of Bharat1 Group and Editor and Owner of NZB News, it has grown into a vital resource for New Zealand’s multicultural population, offering engagement opportunities and setting a new standard for inclusive media.
