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

Residents near the proposed site for New Zealand's first AI datacentre in Makarewa are raising alarms about the project's potential environmental impact, especially regarding electricity and water consumption, as well as noise pollution. The NZ$3.5bn facility, approved by Singapore-based Datagrid, has locals demanding more detailed information on these issues. This growing concern highlights broader questions about the sustainability and community impact of large tech projects, showing why transparency and public engagement are crucial in modern infrastructure planning.