Four of the major political parties have released their positions on AI and large data centres, focusing largely on the issues of economic growth, regulation, electricity demand, water use and community consultation.
The Greens were the only party calling for a one-year moratorium on consenting new data centres consuming more than 50 megawatts. Co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said projects had been approved without public input and that operators did not have to provide renewable generation or minimise water use. She said the pause would allow time for writing fresh regulations but would not amount to a permanent ban on data infrastructure.
Labour opposed a moratorium but proposed that data centres secure their own renewable energy, pay their connection costs, reduce demand during periods of peak pressure and use water efficiently. Labour also suggested an Office of AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, clearer rules covering privacy, and copyright protections allowing creators to receive payment for the use of their work in AI training.
National would support further data-centre development, describing the facilities as critical to innovation and economic growth. Leader Christopher Luxon rejected calls for a pause, arguing New Zealand’s renewable energy mix, available land, water and temperate climate made it well suited to hosting the sites. However, he said new electricity generation projects would be needed to prevent higher power prices.
For its part, ACT argued AI should be used more widely to improve economic productivity. Leader David Seymour said government agencies had already thought about how to use AI safely and questioned the need for new regulatory bodies. He maintained that Labour was getting itself tripped up on the risks rather than highlighting the technology’s benefits.
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Yes lets have shoddy coding for a variety of purposes that does educated, aware and talented people out of jobs, potentially leading to inferior, even dangerous outcomes, depending on its application. Lets also have environmental degradation into the mix and higher electricity and water bills, as these data center monsters soak up available supplies. Not voting for any of the mainstream moron muppet parties this election.