‘A lot of red flags’: plans for New Zealand’s first datacentre spark concern as locals demand greater transparency

A Singapore-based company, Datagrid, has received approval to build New Zealand's first AI datacentre near Invercargill, expected to be operational by 2028 and to consume significant electricity and water resources. While local authorities highlight job creation and infrastructure benefits, residents and experts express concerns about environmental impacts, transparency, and limited long-term economic advantages for the community. The project has sparked debate over resource use and the adequacy