Sam Sachdeva
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samsachdeva.bsky.social
Sam Sachdeva
@samsachdeva.bsky.social
1.2K followers 590 following 130 posts
Foreign affairs + more at Newsroom.co.nz, author of THE CHINA TIGHTROPE. @SamSachdevaNZ on the site formerly known as Twitter. Contact me securely via [email protected]
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samsachdeva.bsky.social
So is Neon going to fold as a result of this? You'd have to think subscriber demand is heavily propped up by the HBO offerings www.rnz.co.nz/life/screens...
New Zealand is getting a new streaming service - HBO Max is coming
Shows like The Pitt, Succession and The White Lotus will live exclusively on the new platform from mid-2026.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 16, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
ytsl.bsky.social
Guess it's that time of the year to wheel this out... 😏
Left panel: Two women in Chinese opera garb (including makeup), one of them pointing and saying "Gong Xi Fa Cai". Right panel: Cat seated at a table with Chinese replying/retorting "Gong Hei Fat Choi" (And yes, it's a Sino-ized version of a Western meme.)
February 14, 2026 at 5:25 AM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
Wonder how long until the Govt U-turns on the LNG non-levy levy? Getting hammered from all sides and their attempted defence is clearly not working
February 9, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
rtodkelly.bsky.social
Now I want to know which CNN reporter or producer doesn't know the word "sycophant."
January 26, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
samorama.bsky.social
In 2002 or 03 a Chicago public access cable channel aired this for at least a full half hour. No audio. I took a photo with a digital camera & that’s all the documentation I have. Anyone have any dirt?
A large CRT 4:3 aspect tv screen with large blue serif letters reads FUCK YOU BARBARA in light blue
January 16, 2026 at 2:29 AM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
When BlackRock unveiled plans for an NZ climate infrastructure fund in 2023, Chris Hipkins hailed it as 'a game changer for the clean tech sector'. Less than three years (and one change of govt) later, the US multinational is quietly scrapping the fund. More here: newsroom.co.nz/2026/01/16/b...
BlackRock bails on $2b NZ climate fund
It was hailed as 'a game changer for the clean tech sector' and a model for the world; less than three years later, BlackRock is walking away from its NZ climate fund
newsroom.co.nz
January 15, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
ciaraarmstrong.bsky.social
Had a buyer for my cross stitch that offered me $2000 USD, I literally cried with relief at what I could achieve with that amount. After the point of providing all bank details etc, Ive heard nothing. So I’m going to have to put my girl back up for sale. I need as much as possible. Please RT. #nzpol
ciaraarmstrong.bsky.social Ciara 🇳🇿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @ciaraarmstrong.bsky.social · Dec 15
Finally!!!
I pushed through lots of pain to finish her. Really need to sell her quickly, & for as much $ as I can possibly get… definitely wanting at least $1500 as she’s very big.
78.5cm x 70cm.
Please share widely, I would greatly appreciate the help.
#CrossStitch #Kikorangi
#nzpol
Cross Stitch portrait of woman with black hair, green eyes, a green knitted jumper & yellow knitted hat. Green background colours. 78.5cm x 70cm
January 9, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
jimprov.sendusyourmoney.com
Attachment issues
Artist Kelly the satirical cartoonist
August 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
newsroom.co.nz
Best of the Year:

Claims and counter-claims about Chinese interference in NZ sparked a now overturned court order that some say shows systemic flaws.
Chinese-NZ journalist defeats gagging order from 'Demon King'
Best of the Year: Claims and counter-claims about Chinese interference in NZ sparked a now overturned court order that some say shows systemic flaws.
newsroom.co.nz
December 31, 2025 at 9:34 PM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
One Indian media outlet is reporting Modi and his Cabinet has signed off on a trade deal with NZ - does this mean Luxon and McClay will get the Christmas present they were after? 👀 www.business-standard.com/economy/news...
www.business-standard.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:14 PM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
Can we finally drop Blundell now please? That is all.
December 19, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
newsroom.co.nz
Newsroom’s Parliament-based team makes their selection of (at least tangentially political) cultural must-consumes from 2025.
The cultural Cabinet’s top picks of 2025
newsroom.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
marcdaalder.bsky.social
Analysis: Finance Minister Nicola Willis effectively confirmed Tuesday that New Zealand will not meet its 2030 climate target under the Paris Agreement under the current Government’s policies.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/12/03/g...
Govt accused of breaching Paris climate deal after Willis rules out buying credits
Analysis: Finance Minister Nicola Willis effectively confirmed New Zealand will not meet its 2030 climate target under the current Govt's policies.
newsroom.co.nz
December 2, 2025 at 9:19 PM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
For many Kiwis, Saturday's record-breaking $55 million Powerball jackpot was an opportunity to dream big - but the Govt is after a financial windfall of its own, with ministers starting tentative discussions about a privatisation of Lotto. More @newsroom.co.nz here: newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/19/c...
Could Govt seek financial jackpot with Lotto privatisation?
As the Prime Minister calls for a 'mature' conversation about asset sales, the national lottery may be in the Govt's sights – but is the coalition on board?
newsroom.co.nz
November 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
henrycooke.bsky.social
NEW: Chris Bishop used housing money to fund a bridge in his electorate his own Govt had killed off.

Officials were against the move and Labour say he shouldn’t have been anywhere near the decision.

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...
Chris Bishop diverts Kāinga Ora money to fund a bridge in his electorate
Officials warned against the use of housing funds for bridge building but Bishop says it was a “pragmatic choice”.
www.thepost.co.nz
November 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
Battle of the medical doctors in Whāngarei! Labour's selected emergency medicine specialist Dr Gary Payinda to take on Dr Shane Reti at next year's election
Labour selects Dr Gary Payinda for Whāngarei 17 November 2025 The Labour Party has selected emergency medicine specialist doctor Dr Gary Payinda as candidate for Whāngarei for 2026. “It’s an honour to be selected as Labour’s Whāngarei candidate,” Dr Gary Payinda said. “The work we are doing to provide every New Zealander with three free GP visits a year will be a game-changer in healthcare, helping people before their conditions worsen and they end up in hospital. It will prevent suffering, save lives, reduce pressure on our hospitals, and keep people healthier. “For nearly two decades, I’ve worked as an emergency doctor in Whangārei. I’ve raised my kids here, worked on the rescue helicopter, served on school boards, and as the national medical director for Surf Life Saving NZ. “It’s a privilege to live and work in Northland, but over the past two years I’ve watched the National Government drive inequity, undercut public health and make visiting the doctor more expensive and out of reach for many people. “I believe in equity for all and in the social good that Labour has always stood for – policies that benefit every New Zealander, regular Kiwis, the regular person, not just those at the top. “I understand how government policies and public services can literally transform lives. I am excited to stand as the Labour candidate for Whāngarei, and I am ready to represent the needs of our community in Parliament, with everything I’ve got,” Gary Payinda said.
November 16, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
newsroom.co.nz
The public almost missed out on learning of the police hierarchy’s cover-up of its disgraced deputy commissioner’s behaviour – because until the 11th hour the Crown wanted a permanent suppression order of his identity.
The unholy comrade of a cover-up: name suppression
newsroom.co.nz
November 13, 2025 at 12:51 AM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
Decent shunt there! #eqnz
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
parsnip.bsky.social
the united states government acknowledges but does not endorse new york city’s claim on staten island, a strategic ambiguity political scientists refer to as the One New York Policy
November 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
captainruck.bsky.social
oh my god
"My newest hobby is finding lines from The Simpsons that could pass for Morrissey song titles." I took this image from somewhere else and can't write all of these out on my phone, so if you're reading this because you need the alt-text, take the opportunity to brainstorm some good ones of your own.
October 30, 2025 at 11:46 PM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
Christopher Luxon and Donald Trump meet one on one for the first time, ahead of an Apec leaders' dinner in Gyeongju, South Korea
October 29, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
marcdaalder.bsky.social
New from me: Just eight of the Government's 17 Roads of National Significance have already seen costs blow out by $5.1 billion - before any shovels are even in the ground.

The full programme would cost $44-$54 billion on the latest numbers.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/23/5...
$5b-plus blowout for eight Roads of National Significance
The Government's 17 Roads of National Significance will cost it at least $44 billion – enough to rebuild Dunedin Hospital 23 times over. Marc Daalder reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
wellingtonskeleton.space
I wrote a (short!) piece in a newsletter for work about the use of generative AI to process and analyse submissions, sent it out, and then checked Newsroom only to see a (very good!) piece from @samsachdeva.bsky.social piece on the topic with more up-to-date numbers and a chat with the Clerk. #NZPOL
Parliament deluged by tsunami of submissions
Almost half of the select committee submissions since 1996 have come in this term of Parliament – creating headaches for MPs and staff alike. Sam Sachdeva reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 20, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Reposted by Sam Sachdeva
wafflecut.bsky.social
Learned that an anonymous outside expert on submersibles did an interview with the OceanGate Titan investigation, and they released a transcript, with all the names redacted. The first line of his first answer? "I'm sure you're familiar with my film Titanic."
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD ***************** Investigation of: LOSS OF THE SUBMARINE TITAN IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN ON JUNE 18, 2023 * * * * * * Accident No.: *********** * * * * * * Interview of: Co-designer/Pilot Deepsea Challenger DCA23FM036 via Microsoft Teams Friday, July 26, 2024 INTERVIEW OF 10 BY LCDR 11 Q. So how did you get yourself started into submersible 12 operations? 13 A. Well, I'm sure you're familiar with my film Titanic. When I 14 set down the path to make that film, the first thing that I did 15 was arrange to be introduced to the head of the submersible 16 program at the P.P. Shirshov Institute in Moscow, a guy named 17| Professor I. I did that through a mutual friend 18 of ours, a guy named , who is one of the preeminent underwater cinematographers in the world. And had been on a 20 submersible expedition out to Titanic the previous year with the 21 Russians. And that was organized by a Canadian company that was 22 doing an IMAX film which was released under the title Titanica.
October 16, 2025 at 9:28 PM
samsachdeva.bsky.social
A New Zealand ‘slave master’ and human trafficker is set to have two of his convictions quashed, after being caught up in a procedural bungle from the solicitor-general’s office. More @newsroom.co.nz:

newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/16/s...
'Slave master' to have some convictions quashed after solicitor-general bungle
Procedural flaws from Crown Law have affected another high-profile case, Newsroom can reveal.
newsroom.co.nz
October 16, 2025 at 10:27 PM