The Green Party says Luxon's Government promised rules for hyperscale AI data centres in July and still has not written them, while its fast-track law has already referred a project that could put one on Auckland's waterfront.
"National Party Ministers have referred a hyper-scale data centre to Fast-Track in Auckland's city centre. If progressed through the process and built, it would consume the power of around 60,000 homes and generate noise 24/7," says Auckland Central MP and Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.
"Locals have raised serious concerns with me, adding to the chorus of concern across the country about the lack of rules around hyper-scale AI data centres."
"We put these concerns to the Prime Minister months ago, and he finally agreed with the Greens that we need 'sensible, common-sense rules', before then admitting he didn't want to put them in place before these centres were actually built – meaning the rules wouldn't actually apply to them. Meanwhile, his Ministers are supporting one of these projects in the densest urban centre in the country through Fast-Track."
"We don't yet know whether this data centre will be built at Halsey Street. If one is, the Government has set no requirements for bringing new renewable generation to cover its power use, how much water it uses, or who pays if Aucklanders' power bills go up."
“Auckland Council's economist warns a facility that size would likely push up the price of power and need new generation and network upgrades.”
"National Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, signed off the economic benefits using the developer's own figures, with no independent analysis. Auckland Council's economist rightly points out those figures count only the gains, with no costs and no cost-benefit analysis."
"When a project has no operator, no grid analysis and no water assessment, the Government should be asking questions, not referring it fast-track."
"The Greens want every new hyperscale data centre to have a full environmental impact assessment and to build new renewable generation to cover all the power it uses, so it is not competing with households for the electricity we already have."
"The National Party could focus less on churning out AI slop fear-mongering about other political parties, and more on the real-world impacts of AI data centres that New Zealanders are asking to be regulated properly."
"The Greens are working for an economy that works, for all of us. That means sensible rules and transparency around AI data centres, where they go, what resources they use, and who they benefit. Our economic plan will deliver thriving city centres, and good jobs for all New Zealanders," says Swarbrick.