Govt wants 'common-sense' rules around big data centres - PM

The Government is working on a "compact" setting rules for hyperscale data centre operators wanting to build locally, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon saying large facilities will need to bring additional power generation. It follows a call from the <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/26/greens-push-to-pause-big-data-centre-consents-pm-calls-it-alarmist/" target="_blank">Greens to impose a one-year moratorium</a> on consents for new large-scale "AI data centres", which have been divisive in communities locally and abroad. Luxon said today he had directed Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to develop a set of principles, and that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment had also been engaged. He said the Government wanted to involve energy companies, data centre operators, and other interested parties in shaping the rules. "I want to be able to get all the interests that are in that space to come back with some sensible, common-sense rules.