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Empowering our digital future
Kia ora,
Last week, alongside Hon Simon Watts, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, we proudly launched our latest landmark report: Empowering Aotearoa New Zealand’s Digital Future – Our National Data Centre Infrastructure.
Our latest research sets the record straight on the real impact of New Zealand’s data centres, especially their electricity and water use. Despite headlines echoing overseas stories about ‘energy-hungry’ data centres, the local picture is very different. Data centres here use just 0.6% of the nation’s electricity, with several individual companies (and even government offices) consuming more. On water, the footprint is minimal; the largest data centre uses less than my own home!
Data centres are critical infrastructure for New Zealand, they’re creating thousands of jobs, attracting billions in global investment and positioning New Zealand to lead in digital innovation, while leveraging our renewable energy advantage. What’s not to like?
The numbers tell an incredible story:
✅ 56 operational data centres across Aotearoa
✅ Using only 0.6% of the country’s electricity
✅ 20 more planned or under construction
✅ Over $10 billion in new investment flowing into our economy
✅ Thousands of jobs being created right here in NZ.
This represents a massive opportunity. Whether you’re in tech services, construction, renewable energy, or digital innovation, the data centre boom is creating partnerships and growth opportunities across every sector.
The best part? As demand grows, these facilities are driving our transition to renewable energy, proving that digital growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
This week: don’t miss our Aotearoa AI Summit!
We’re looking forward to our fourth annual Aotearoa AI Summit on Thursday. If you’re serious about AI strategy and people-first adoption, this is the room to be in. Here’s what not to miss:
- Cisco’s AI CTO Dave Siroky’s keynote will unpack the global AI resource map: what’s powering AI, where it’s being built, and who’s investing in data centres and capacity. Expect clear insights to help New Zealand chart a resilient, sustainable AI infrastructure strategy that supports growth across our tech ecosystem.
- Explore why data centres and sovereign AI matters for New Zealand. I’ll be joining Deloitte’s Amy Dove, Te Hapori Matihiko’s Elle Archer and Cisco’s Dave Siroky. Our panel will discuss what’s at stake, sustainability solutions and why an NZ Inc approach is critical to mobilise capital, policy and partnerships.
- Designing AI that puts people first. Learn how the rate-limiting factor for enterprise AI isn’t tech — it’s people. Hear hard-won lessons from leaders enabling AI at scale, and how they’re preparing for agentic AI. Featuring Dr Amanda Williamson (AI Institute, Deloitte), Pedro Ramirez (AI Work Programme, Department of Internal Affairs) and James Lawrence (AI Centre of Enablement, Fonterra).
And the night before: the Aotearoa AI Awards
Join us on Wednesday as we recognise the individuals, teams, and organisations leading the way in AI across Aotearoa. These awards celebrate leadership, originality and practical outcomes in AI. Meet the finalists here. If you can’t attend, winners will be announced live on LinkedIn.
Nominations for the FinTechNZ Executive Council open today. EdTechNZ Executive Council nominations close today. The BioTechNZ Annual Meeting is on Wednesday.
Ngā mihi nui,
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
Read full news here: Empowering our digital future
