Luxon rejects Green Party call for moratorium on new AI data centres

The Green Party has called for a one-year pause on resource consents for new AI data centres until national legislation expected in early 2027 is enacted. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon rejected the proposal, saying data centres are vital for economic growth. The Greens cited a $3.5 billion Southland facility approved in March, projected to draw 6% of New Zealand's electricity.