Sam Sachdeva

Wellington

National Affairs Editor at Newsroom New Zealand

Foreign affairs + more @NewsroomNZ. Trying out the other app (🦋), so in theory won't be on here as much.

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Articles

Corks pop as UK loosens restrictions on NZ wine

5 days ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

New Zealand wines now have a smoother pathway into the United Kingdom, with one British official saying the changes show the value of the “living, growing” trade deal between the two countries. Government officials and ministers from both countries met in London last month for the joint UK-NZ ministerial trade committee set up to monitor the free trade agreement signed in 2022. Already have an account?
Seymour's 'light up' message alarms tobacco researchers

1 week ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour’s comments to a London audience calling smokers “fiscal heroes” – and declaring people should “light up” to save their government’s balance sheet – are reprehensible and make light of addiction, tobacco researchers say.
An Ombudsman who wants to coach, not just referee

1 week ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

For somebody who has spent much of his career in the public eye, John Allen appears unenthused about the spotlight. “Most of it's played out on about page three of the local newspapers. At various points, occasionally I've edged into page two, which ... the further back the better, in my view,” Allen says, glasses perched on the end of his nose as he leans forward. Already have an account?
Trump's southern neighbour on how to weather his worst

1 week ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

New Zealand may be thousands of kilometres away from the United States, but at times that distance feels like precious little insulation from Donald Trump. Spare a thought, then, for the United States’ southern neighbour as it is buffeted by Trump’s every decree.
Nurses set to test equal pay system as others lose trust

1 week ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

The first test of the Government’s new pay equity regime could be underway within weeks – but one union has ruled out progressing any claims for the time being, due to a lack of confidence in the system. A law change pushed through Parliament under urgency by the coalition in early May wiped existing claims in the system, forcing unions to start their work again and meet new, tougher thresholds. Already have an account?
Chinese-NZ journalist defeats gagging order from 'Demon King'

2 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

A Chinese-New Zealand journalist subjected to a gagging order by a pro-Beijing political candidate over claims of online bullying says more community members should stand up for democracy and freedom of speech, after successfully challenging the ruling. The free speech organisation that helped Portia Mao fight her case says the original decision shows the flaws in a system set up to deal with cases of online harm. Already have an account?
Non-stop hazards monitoring at risk from job cuts

2 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

Job cuts at the country’s 24/7 natural hazards monitoring centre mean it could be forced out of action when staff numbers fall below minimum levels, a union warns. Last year, GNS Science announced restructuring plans to become “more financially sustainable in a challenging operating and economic environment”, with a net loss of 59 positions. Already have an account?
Numbers behind Northland highway called into question

2 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

A report making the case for a major highway that could consume 10 percent of the Government’s entire infrastructure budget in the coming decades may overstate its economic benefits and can’t be easily verified, an independent analyst says. The NZ Institute of Economic Research says it stands behind its work, which is not intended to be a full cost-benefit analysis of the Northland expressway. Already have an account?
Govt's transparency work 'timid and unambitious'

2 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

The Government has failed to finish half of its commitments in a global transparency initiative, leading to accusations it is taking a “complacent and insulting” approach to the work. As a member of the Open Government Partnership since 2014, New Zealand has been required to produce two-year ‘action plans’ with a number of commitments to increase government transparency and accountability. Already have an account?
MPs recommend new safeguards for foreign interference law

3 weeks ago | newsroom.co.nz | Sam Sachdeva

New safeguards are set to be added to controversial new foreign interference law, following concerns that legitimate protest activity could be criminalised as a result. However, one political party remains opposed to the legislation, arguing the changes amount to “state overreach and a significant threat to civil liberties”. Already have an account?