Green co-leader Chloe Swarbrick called on 25 July 2026 for a one-year moratorium on resource consents for the most resource-intensive new AI data centres until stronger rules are developed. Swarbrick said it was not a ban on data infrastructure but a pause on the largest developments while intentional regulation is put in place. The call followed resource consent being granted to Singapore-based Datagrid for a 3.5 billion dollar data centre in Southland that would draw about 280 megawatts of power, making it one of the country's largest electricity users, and more than 600,000 litres of groundwater a day. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon rejected a moratorium, describing the Greens as alarmist and saying data centres matter for economic growth, though he signalled the government would set out principles for them. ACT leader David Seymour opposed a pause during a cost-of-living crisis, while Labour leader Chris Hipkins declined to back a moratorium but agreed regulation was urgently needed.