Sam Sachdeva
@samsachdeva.bsky.social
Foreign affairs + more at Newsroom.co.nz, author of THE CHINA TIGHTROPE. @SamSachdevaNZ on the site formerly known as Twitter. Contact me securely via samsnews@protonmail.com
This might go some way towards explaining why Luxon ruled out Opportunity last week (which came after the fieldwork for this poll was finished): www.roymorgan.com/findings/102...
Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll: In July National-led Government leads Labour-led Parliamentary Opposition (49% vs. 41%) - Roy Morgan Research
roymorgan.com
This is out from the paywall now fyi for those who haven’t had a chance to read yet
Sam Sachdeva@samsachdeva.bsky.social · 3d agoNot sure how much attention this will get, but it’s quite a big deal - Labour has pulled its support for the Govt’s controversial census ‘modernisation’ plans, meaning it no longer has the 75% majority it needs in Parliament: newsroom.co.nz/2026/08/03/g...
Not sure how much attention this will get, but it’s quite a big deal - Labour has pulled its support for the Govt’s controversial census ‘modernisation’ plans, meaning it no longer has the 75% majority it needs in Parliament: newsroom.co.nz/2026/08/03/g...
Govt’s census overhaul thrown into doubt after Labour pulls support
Opposition parties warn relying on government agency data instead of a full census risks undercounting Māori and minority groups.
newsroom.co.nz
Stanis Elsborg@staniselsborg.bsky.social · 5d agoVery interesting development. • FIFA acknowledges and respects feedback and concern aired in public • FIFA reaffirms its commitment to an open and democratic consultation • Erroneous reporting in the media disrupted planned consultation process inside.fifa.com/organisation...
Comment: In the collective obsession to avoid every little mistake from the Covid-19 response, we risk failing to learn from what went *right*. newsroom.co.nz/2026/07/30/b...
Brown promises 'future-focused' pandemic plan while relitigating the past
Comment: In the collective obsession to avoid every little mistake from the Covid-19 response, we risk failing to learn from what went right.
newsroom.co.nz
Another long read: The Government's modelling suggests it is on track for meeting New Zealand's methane targets, but experts, watchdogs and even the dairy lobby say the Govt’s hands-off approach won’t boost new technology and cut climate pollution from cows. newsroom.co.nz/2026/07/28/n...
NZ cows set to emit far more climate pollution than Govt projected
Special report: Experts, watchdogs and even the dairy lobby say the Govt's hands-off approach won't boost new technology and cut climate pollution from cows.
newsroom.co.nz
Just weeks after reopening its doors, NZ’s embassy in Middle East hotspot is caught up in collapse of ceasefire deal.
NZ closes embassy in Tehran a second time as Iran airstrikes resume
newsroom.co.nz
As the new US Ambassador likens Donald Trump's trade policy to throwing a grenade in the room, NZ pushes back on a major tariff threat.
Trump’s anti-slavery tariffs ‘unfair and unjustified’, NZ says
newsroom.co.nz
At the Moulin Rouge, The Dance, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1890
Some very happy (and no doubt relieved!) Argentina fans in Wgtn
The greatest Mexico v England tweets you will ever read. 😂 As you were.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith reviews OIA compliance costs after a report estimates spending hit $183m, drawing criticism from sceptics
Govt agencies spend over $180m on official information requests, report claims
newsroom.co.nz
The Government has dismantled a New Plymouth research and development centre set up by Labour to investigate new energy sources and help Taranaki transition away from oil and gas. newsroom.co.nz/2026/06/02/t...
Taranaki clean energy centre quietly scrapped
The Ara Ake energy centre was set up to assist Taranaki with transitioning away from oil and gas, but funding was cut last week
newsroom.co.nz
The Government’s pre-election Budget is a gamble that long-term gain will trump immediate pain when voters have their say on November 7, Sam Sachdeva writes
No ‘sugar hits’, but jam tomorrow in Willis’ pre-election Budget
newsroom.co.nz
New this morning: Two of the Government’s key energy policies are fossil fuel subsidies, breaching New Zealand’s international trade obligations, a new legal opinion has found. newsroom.co.nz/2026/05/26/l...
LNG plans will breach trade deals, lawyers warn Govt
The UK, Switzerland and Costa Rica are among nations that could hike tariffs on particular goods if trade deals are breached
newsroom.co.nz
Hiding files in cakes is a time-honored practice in the world of subverting law enforcement
1 more exciting work thing; from mid July to the end of August, I'm teaching a 6 week, 1 evening a week grad course on the theory, law, & practice of reason-giving in govt. Can be taken standalone or part of a certificate, diploma, or LLM. Good for lawyers in or around govt or senior policy folks.
LAWS 538 Special Topic: Accountability and the State | Course | Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Reasoned decision-making is at the heart of the modern administrative state. Poorly crafted reasons from officials can leave decisions open to legal challenge and undermine the dignity of those seekin...
wgtn.ac.nz
I've also written up an analysis on the implications of these findings for MPs: The report must be a wake-up call to politicians. Decisions around cost-sharing and managed retreat may be unpopular, but kicking the can down the road is an abdication of responsibility. newsroom.co.nz/2026/05/07/t...
The best time to start adapting was yesterday. The next best is now
Comment: The National Climate Change Risk Assessment must be a wake-up call to politicians to put an end to years of passing the buck on adaptation, writes Marc Daalder.
newsroom.co.nz
Paywall now lifted on Hanna McCallum's scoop with the full list of the Government's planned Treaty clause cuts and changes: newsroom.co.nz/2026/04/29/f...
Full list of Treaty clause cuts and changes revealed
The move to cut Treaty references from five acts and amend up to 14 others has been criticised by the National Iwi Chairs Forum
newsroom.co.nz
Starting an email with FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK he's got something cooking here, gonna try it at work
Ken Jennings@kenjennings.bsky.social · 3mo agoThe main thing in art and entertainment to keep your finger on the pulse of the fans and what they want, their feedback is so important.
