AI data centres must fund their own clean energy
What it actually does
The Opportunity Party's Digital Future policy would require each AI data centre to fund its own clean energy, pay its full grid connection costs and publicly report its energy and water use. It also commits to hosting all critical New Zealanders' data in New Zealand and a 25% tax credit for small businesses adopting new technology.
Source: opportunity.org.nz · 2026-06
The Trump take
“Our great American AI companies want to build big beautiful data centres and they make them pay for their own power and file reports? We're winning the AI race. Let them build!”parody
Why it scored this way
US Big Tech
New obligations on data centres, many run by US tech giants, plus onshore data hosting
-1
Dislikes it
Red tape
Mandatory energy and water reporting requirements
-1
Dislikes it
On the same topics
Fast-track Approvals Act
Passed in December 2024 along party lines, the Act created a one-stop consenting process for listed infrastructure, housing, mining and energy projects. Final approval decisions sit with expert panels rather than standard resource consent processes.
Fast-track Approvals Act 2024
Creates a one-stop consenting regime for listed infrastructure, housing, energy and mining projects, with expert panels deciding applications and ministers holding a role in referrals. Passed its third reading on 17 December 2024 on coalition votes and received royal assent in December 2024.
Crown Minerals Amendment Act 2025 (oil and gas ban repeal)
Lifts the 2018 ban on new petroleum exploration permits outside onshore Taranaki, changes the Act's purpose from managing to promoting minerals exploration, and gives ministers discretion over decommissioning liability for former permit holders. Passed on 31 July 2025 and received royal assent on 5 August 2025.