Business

Major parties look to Australia’s data centre rules amid Greens’ push for pause

New Zealand's major parties are considering Australia's approach to regulating data centres as concerns grow about their energy demands and environmental impact.

Skinny McBuntu

National and Labour are examining Australia's data centre regulatory framework, with the Prime Minister calling for sensible rules. The Energy Minister wants AI data centres to underwrite new renewable energy projects. Growing concerns about data centre proliferation and their environmental footprint could affect New Zealand's prospects as a regional tech hub serving Australia and the Pacific.

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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

What outlets are saying

interest.co.nz

Major NZ parties eye up Australia's new data centre rules, as Greens push for a pause

National & Labour look to Australia on data centres with PM Christopher Luxon saying NZ needs 'some sensible, common sense rules in place'

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interest.co.nz

Energy Minister wants AI data centres underwriting new renewable energy

Energy Minister Simeon Brown wants AI data centres underwriting new renewable energy

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RNZ

Support for data centres goes back 40 years

There are more than 60 data centres in New Zealand, but a new report says growing concerns over their proliferation could harm the country's potential to become a regional hub serving Australia and the Pacific.

Read the full story at RNZ

interest.co.nz

Hyperscale data centres and flickering power

Earl Bardsley questions the appetite for 'littering the landscape' with windfarms and solar panels to maintain AI data centres established via contracts facing little public scrutiny

Read the full story at interest.co.nz