Sustainable AI Series: Sustainable and Sovereign AI for Aotearoa

AI is here. Our real choice is whether we shape how it is powered and delivered here — or let someone else, somewhere else, make those decisions for us.

New Zealand has something the world’s data-centre builders want: largely renewable electricity, a cool climate and room to grow. Proposals for South Island sites now add up to more than a gigawatt of power.

That could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity — but only if we ask the right questions.

If we host AI here, who benefits? Who controls the data, the models and the income? And what are the risks if we do nothing?

We are at a pivotal moment in determining how AI capability is built, accessed and governed.

Join us in Christchurch for the final event in our nationwide Sustainable AI Series, as we explore what sustainable and sovereign AI could mean for Canterbury and all of Aotearoa.

More details to be announced soon. 

Date: 5 November 2026

Time:  5:00PM - 7:30PM

Location: EPIC Centre Christchurch 100 Manchester Street, Christchurch Central City 

Event Type:  In person

Cost: Free for members & for non-Members

Our Speakers

Panel 1: Sustainable AI

How can Aotearoa realise the opportunity of AI infrastructure while considering energy, environmental impacts, resilience and long-term local capability?

• Louisa Taylor, Periscope Consulting (Moderator)

• Sam Kivi, DataGrid

• Dr Jeremy Watson, University of Canterbury

• Blake Harkness, Harkness AI

Panel 2: Sovereign AI

What does it take to ensure AI infrastructure, data and models deliver enduring value for Aotearoa?

• Caelan Huntress, Ai Coaching Academy (Moderator)

• Karaitiana Taiuru, AI Forum Kāhui Māori Advisory Panel

• Glen Willoughby, ISO – International Organisation for Standardisation; formerly NASA and Singularity University Labs

And more to be announced. We hope to see you there!

Supported by:

We respectfully ask that all participants planning to attend an in person event are healthy and well. Should you be unable to attend due to illness or isolation we request that you stay home. Please advise if you are unable to attend by emailing connect.events@technewzealand.org.nz with your name and the event date.