POWERING PROGRESS IN A GREEN REVOLUTION
In an era where digital demands are surging, Dean Addie, CEO of T4 NZ Data Centres, sheds light on how New Zealand’s data centre landscape is evolving to meet the challenges of sustainability, resilience, and advanced technological needs
Dean Addie, CEO
ew Zealand (NZ), located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consists of two main landmasses – the North Island and South Island – and numerous smaller
The country is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse landscapes, enriched by its Māori heritage, which is a vital part of
the national identity. The Indigenous name for NZ is Aotearoa, meaning ‘the land of the long white cloud’.
T4 NZ Data Centres (T4) is dedicated to preserving the country’s land and heritage through various initiatives. Indeed, the company places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility in its operations.
Being wholly under Kiwi control as a 100 percent New Zealandowned company, with partial Māori ownership, T4 reflects a commitment to local governance and accountability, underscoring the importance of regional and sustainable development.
In recent years, NZ has made significant progress towards
sustainability and innovation, especially within the technology industry.
Data centres are crucial to the country’s IT infrastructure, particularly as the demand for data storage and processing rises with the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid cloud computing, digital services, and online activities.
DRIVING THE FUTURE OF DATA CENTRES
Around 90 percent of NZ’s data centres are currently located in the city of Auckland.
Given Auckland boasts approximately 33 percent of NZ’s population, that may seem appropriate, however the country also enjoys a national fibre infrastructure that delivers extremely low latency nationwide.
That allows a new view of where NZ businesses can locate their computers and storage, meaning higher resilience through nationwide distributed data centres.
The T4 national data centre distribution model helps mitigate risks associated with natural disasters, protecting against data loss and downtime. (continued on page 10)
DATA CENTRE TRENDS
The demand for data centre services in NZ is changing, and various trends are anticipated to shape the industry in the near future, with emerging technologies expected to have a significant impact.
Current trends include:
• True sovereign requirements (not just residency)
• True green energy vs greenwashing
• Hybrid environments
• Non-war zones
• High power loads, including AI
Fibre infrastructure powering New Zealand’s digital future
Chorus is reshaping New Zealand’s place in the Asia-Pacific digital landscape - providing the strategic connectivity that powers data centres, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise transformation.
“The future requires more than connectivity - it demands scale and confidence. When speed, reliability, and coverage matter, Chorus is the clear choice.
We power New Zealand’s digital economy with fibre infrastructure built for tomorrow.”
- Mark Aue, CEO, Chorus
Connectivity is a competitive advantage. Today, how you’re connected matters more than ever.
As New Zealand’s largest fibre infrastructure provider, Chorus helps businesses realise value fast, with reliable performance, and architectural freedom - essentials for thriving in the AI era.
Our track record speaks volumes. Back in 2011, the New Zealand Government chose Chorus as the lead delivery partner in the UltraFast Broadband (UFB) rollout - a NZ$5.5 billion project delivered on time and on budget, setting a global benchmark for fibre deployment.
Today, 87% of New Zealand’s population is covered by fibre. Chorus operates New Zealand’s largest open-access fibre network with 72.2% uptake. And with 400Gbps optical wavelength backhaul services now available across key connectivity services, Chorus’ backbone network is built for growth, with a clear path to 800Gbps and 1.2Tbps.
For hyperscale data centres and the enterprises they serve,
Chorus delivers the fibre foundation that modern enterprises need: highperformance, carrier-neutral connectivity and colocation built for scale and resilience.
The backbone of a nation
Chorus is leading the way in providing secure, enterprisegrade network connectivity in New Zealand - enabling modern cloud, AI, and edge strategies nationwide. We have the most extensive fibre deployment across New Zealand with 180,000 km of fibre access network, 64,000 km of ducting, and 22,000 km of backhaul fibre. For CIOs and CTOs, the priority is clear: gaining reliable access to infrastructure that supports growth and can evolve with change. Chorus delivers both.
Our carrier-neutral fibre model gives enterprises the flexibility to choose the architecture and partners that fit their strategy. And with a network that spans urban and rural New Zealand, you can confidently support highcapacity, low-latency applications across the country.
Engineered for resilience
Scale and flexibility are only part of the story - reliability matters too. That’s why Chorus builds resilience into the fabric of our network, from the design of key points of interconnect to the layout of metro and inter-city routes. With exchange premises spread across the country, our national footprint helps ensure consistent, dependable connectivity.
Today, Chorus connects 77% of New Zealand data centres and we have ambitions to extend our reach even further. Behind the scenes, the network offers multiple geographically diverse paths across both the North and South islands, integrating at key coastal gateways for onward connectivity to international cable systems.
This helps reduce single points of failure and supports service continuity during network disruptions - whether caused by earthquakes, construction activity, or other unexpected events.
For enterprises building in or into New Zealand, this facilitates greater certainty. Whether synchronising data across sites, training AI models, or accessing high-volume cloud applications in real time, our network is designed to support consistent performance and helps keep business-critical services online.
“New Zealand is two islands squashed together by two tectonic plates. Resilience isn’t optional - it’s essential. Chorus is helping us connect our data centres across the country to ensure New Zealand is better served.”
- Dean Addie, CEO, T4 Group
Connectivity and colocation options that fit your strategy
Every enterprise’s architecture is different. Chorus offers a suite of connectivity and colocation options designed to meet your performance, control, and cost requirements:
Ethernet backhaul
Standards-based, carrier-grade connectivity for enterprise networks and cloud edge environments.
Optical transport
High-speed, dedicated wavelength services with nationwide reach.
Dark fibre
Maximum control, total flexibility. Bring your own network and build it your way. With Chorus fibre, the possibilities are yours to define.
Colocation
Secure, scalable environments for your equipment with nationwide reach and high uptime. From positions in or on Chorus buildings to poles and towers, locating gear close to the fibre backbone shortens paths, reduces latency, and simplifies rollout.
EdgeCentre colocation
Host critical systems in EdgeCentres across Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch. We’ll host your equipment in a Chorus rack, right next to the fibre network, with proactive support and data sovereignty built in.
These options allow businesses to tune their infrastructure to specific workloads, avoiding the limitations of one-sizefits-all solutions.
A trusted connectivity ecosystem
Chorus works alongside a range of partners in the data connectivity segment - including internet service providers, integrators, carriers, cloud specialists, and solution providers - so customers can choose the procurement and operating model that fits their strategy.
For architects designing multi-cloud or hybrid environments, Chorus provides the neutral foundation needed to de-risk complex architectures, maintain flexibility, and avoid vendor lock-in.
Express Connect: Speed and performance when you need it
Express Connect is a data centre connectivity solution built for businesses where speed, reliability, and consistent uptime are critical. Delivering high-performance, low-latency, point-to-point connectivity, with Express Connect customers can focus on what matters without worrying about their network.
Fast activation:
Remote provisioning means connections can go live in four business hours - no technician required.
High performance:
Enterprise-grade with High Traffic Class bandwidth.
Built-in redundancy:
Dual network nodes linked to separate exchange sites via geographically diverse backhaul routes.
What this means for your business:
Chorus brings together national scale, carrier neutrality, and resilient engineering to deliver infrastructure that supports what matters most:
Predictable performance
High Traffic Class bandwidth and purpose-built engineering help keep end-user experiences consistent when accessing your private cloud services - so your business-critical applications stay responsive and reliable.
AI and edge readiness
As models, datasets and edge nodes grow, the underlay becomes strategic. Chorus’ national fibre footprint with carrier neutral access ensures interconnects scale without becoming the bottleneck.
Continuity by design
Dual network nodes and geographically diverse backhaul provide resilience so services stay online through maintenance events and incidents.
Sustainable infrastructure
Powered by Ecotricity, New Zealand’s only Toitū climate positive certified electricity retailer, Chorus’ fibre network is energy efficient, delivering low-emissions connectivity. And with an ambition to be Net Zero by 2025, Chorus offers long-term environmental value alongside enterprise-grade reliability.
Faster time-to-value
With products like Express Connect providing remote activation and four-businesshour turnup, capacity can arrive in step with deployment plans rather than trailing them.
Architectural freedom
Choose from ethernet, optical transport or dark fibre per link and per workload, aligning control and cost to business priorities instead of having to conform to a rigid blueprint.
“The real gamechanger with Express Connect is that it’s already built and deployed. Because we’ve done the heavy lifting inside data centres, customers can activate their circuits within four business hours.”
– Ailsa Leach, Head of Connectivity and Colocation, Chorus
A foundation for what’s next
Chorus is more than a network provider – we’re a strategic partner for enterprises operating in New Zealand. With a focus on resilience and innovation, Chorus is helping organisations build what’s next.
“New Zealand’s digital infrastructure is entering a new phase of precision, performance and scale. Chorus is investing in the fibre foundations that deliver secure, high-capacity connectivity across New Zealand’s largest open-access, neutral network – from data centres and enterprise networks to time-sensitive applications such as AI and financial services. Our technology and operational teams focus on what matters to you as our fibre customers.”
- Martin Sharrock, CTO, Chorus
Why global investors are looking to New Zealand
New Zealand is emerging as a strategic location for digital infrastructure investment. With a stable regulatory environment, abundant renewable energy, and geographic proximity to Asia-Pacific markets, it offers a compelling proposition for global enterprises.
Chorus’ open-access fibre network and colocation footprint make it easier for international players to establish a presence in New Zealand - with confidence, speed, and scalability.
Stable regulatory environment. Green advantage and temperate climate.
Strategic location in Asia-Pacific.
Experienced digital workforce.
Strong digital momentum.
Explore how Chorus can support your data centre strategy in New Zealand
Whether you’re interconnecting facilities, standing up an edge presence, or re-platforming mission critical workloads, talk to Chorus’ enterprise solution consultants.
Contact: Chorus.Solutions@chorus.co.nz Visit: https://www.chorus.co.nz/enterprise
As businesses increasingly digitise, AI continues to grow, and hybrid cloud services expand, demand for robust data centre services is rising. Providers are investing in new facilities and technological advancements to keep pace with this growth.
Most current NZ facilities across all organisations have service level agreements (SLAs) that match Tier II and Tier III, guaranteeing specific levels of uptime and redundancy.
However, companies like T4 are working to establish their national data centre distribution model, which includes a mix of Tier II and III facilities, as well as the country’s first Tier IV facility. Tier IV facilities offer even higher availability and fault tolerance.
In light of this, the company exemplifies a commitment to sovereignty, sustainability, and national resilience, showcasing what responsible, transparent, and technically advanced data infrastructure should entail.
With a growing focus on green
“WE ARE INTEGRATING SOLAR ENERGY INTO OUR PLANS TO ENHANCE OUR GREEN POLICY FURTHER AND REDUCE RELIANCE ON THE NATIONAL GRID”
– DEAN ADDIE, CEO, T4 NZ DATA CENTRES
energy and sustainability within the NZ data centre industry, T4 is increasingly prioritising renewable energy sources to power its operations.
“We operate a nationwide network of co-location data centres, which provides our clients with hybrid solutions and true back-up and disaster recovery options. The combination of Tier II, Tier III, and Tier IV availability, direct-tochip liquid cooling, and green energy makes our offering unique in NZ,” introduces Dean Addie, CEO.
“With two geographically isolated
major hubs and growing regional spokes – various endpoints that connect to the central hub – we are on a mission to enhance the resilience of the country’s data centre infrastructure,” he continues.
REDIFINING RELIABILITY
T4 provides unmatched reliability and strength in its state-of-the-art co-location facilities.
“All our data centres are Tier II and III, and we are planning a Tier IV facility for Invercargill,” states Addie.
“We are safe, secure, and reliable.
Your partner for Contracting and Installation
In a world that never stops, data centres are the backbone of our digital economy. As demand for capacity grows, so too does the need for systems that deliver dependable operations around the clock.
Trusted Expertise in Mission-Critical Environments
As New Zealand’s largest multi-disciplinary mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire (MEPF) and heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) project contractor, Aquaheat has a proven track record of delivering complex, high-performance environments, including data centres, film studios, laboratories, pharmaceutical facilities, and healthcare sites.
We understand the precision required for mission-critical infrastructure and deliver projects with confidence from start to finish.
Purpose-Built for Data Centre Excellence
Our teams combine in-house engineering, BIM-led design, modular prefabrication, and ISO-certified systems to deliver scalable, energy-efficient solutions. Aquaheat’s approach ensures:
• Reliability – Systems designed for Tier III and enterprise datacentres with operational continuity built in.
• Sustainability – Measurable carbon reductions, waste minimisation, and ISO-certified systems that support client ESG commitments.
• Lifecycle Assurance – Dedicated facility services teams providing 24/7 maintenance, compliance monitoring, and asset optimisation.
• National Support – Part of the Horizon Energy Group, offering long-term stability and the resources to deliver at scale.
Our Services
We deliver end-to-end MEPF and HVAC solutions, including:
• Design & Build / Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)
• Electrical Design & Installation
• Energy efficiency upgrades
• Mechanical & HVAC solutions
• Specialist cooling – liquid, air, or hybrid
• Fire protection systems (via AquaFire)
• Lifecycle servicing and asset management
Whole-of-Life Support with
Aquaheat
Facilities Services (AFSL)
Through AFSL, our commitment doesn’t end when a system goes live. We provide planned and reactive maintenance, compliance management, and asset lifecycle planning, ensuring every system continues to perform as designed. This delivers operational continuity for our clients.
Why Choose Aquaheat?
Whether delivering complex builds or supporting long-term maintenance contracts, our team brings over 75 years of combined expertise, backed by resources clients rely on for HVAC and MEPF services.
With Aquaheat, you gain a partner who understands the stakes and ensures your infrastructure performs every day, 24/7.
National Business Development ManagerZahra Al-khaleefa +64 27 322 1320 | zahra.al-khaleefa@aquaheat.nz www.aquaheat.co.nz
T4’S TIHI FACILITY
The Auckland data centre is a rare non-compromised site with key features such as:
• Tier III+ IBM design
• 30 metres above sea level
• Not on a volcanic field, flood plain, or flight path
• Two diverse fibre routes
• Two diverse power feeds
• Three diverse transport routes
• 500 contiguous spare rack capacity
• All-of-Government Department of Internal Affairs (DIA)-certified
• BS11-compliant (banking standard policy)
• ISO 9001, 14001, and 27001-certified
• 100 percent availability guaranteed
• Direct line of sight to the Sky Tower
• 100 percent Kiwi-owned with partial Māori ownership, making it a fully sovereign solution
Tihi is more than just an advanced facility; it embodies a persistent commitment to confidence, trust, and a resilient, sovereign, and sustainable digital future.
At the summit, the view is clearer. Tihi means ‘summit’, and this facility lives up to its name – the pinnacle of secure, sustainable, and sovereign data for Aotearoa.
Resilience is built into our design; T4’s facilities are connected to multiple power feeds, backed by generation systems, and engineered with no single points of failure. Our distribution network also avoids the risks associated with centralisation.”
Case in point, the Tier IV facility in Invercargill, located in the Southland region on the South Island, will be the first of its kind in NZ.
As such, unique features differentiate the company’s data centres from others in the country, firmly establishing T4 as a Tier IV co-location data centre provider.
To qualify as Tier IV, the site SLAs must adhere to 99.995 percent uptime, 2N+1 redundancy (twice the required number of systems for operation plus a back-up), be concurrently maintainable, and have
no single point of failure.
Operating on 100 percent renewable energy from hydro, wind, and solar power, whilst achieving a low power usage effectiveness (PUE), the Invercargill site will be the lowest-emission data centre in NZ.
The facility also incorporates a world-leading cooling system utilising direct water-cooling technology, thereby enhancing energy efficiency whilst minimising environmental impact.
“All our sites also have state-ofthe-art monitoring and security zones whilst providing valuable accessibility for our clients,” he elaborates.
T4’s data centres are also customised to specific requirements, placing the client experience at the core of the company’s services.
At P4G Security, we take pride in being one of New Zealand’s most respected and reliable security firms. As a nationwide provider, we deliver first-class, tailor-made security solutions for individuals and organisations across diverse industries. With a commitment to professionalism, excellence and innovation, P4G Security has earned a reputation as a trusted name in the security sector.
Our mission is simple yet powerful — to protect what matters most. Whether you require corporate security, government facility protection, or specialised services for sensitive environments such as data centres, our team of dedicated professionals is ready to meet and exceed expectations. Every member of our security team is highly trained, carefully selected and thoroughly vetted to ensure they embody the discipline, knowledge and integrity that define the P4G standard. We understand that every client’s security needs are unique. That’s why we take a consultative approach, working closely with our clients to design and implement customised strategies that align with their operational goals and risk profiles. Our comprehensive
services include static guarding, mobile patrols and advanced monitoring solutions.
As a trusted partner of T4 Group, one of New Zealand’s leading data centre companies, P4G Security provides an additional, protected layer of security that is reliable, well-known and trusted across the market This partnership highlights our expertise in protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive environments, ensuring data and operations remain secure under the highest industry standards.
As part of the SIS Enterprises Group Australasia, P4G Security operates with the strength, resources and support of an international network. This affiliation allows us to combine global best practices with deep local knowledge, ensuring our clients benefit from world-class service and dependable protection.
Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, P4G Security provides continuous coverage and peace of mind nationwide. Whether it’s safeguarding a corporate headquarters, protecting government assets or maintaining the integrity of critical facilities, our rapidresponse capability ensures we are always ready to act.
With a proven track record and long-standing partnerships, P4G Security continues to set the benchmark for quality, reliability and professionalism in New Zealand’s security industry. Our history reflects not only our commitment to excellence but also our ability to adapt to an ever-evolving security landscape.
When you choose P4G Security, you’re not just selecting a security provider — you’re partnering with a team dedicated to protecting people, property and reputation with integrity, precision and trust.
P4G Security – Trusted. Proven. Nationwide.
“Not all clients are the same; they have different needs. We can accommodate unusually shaped equipment, provide secure caging if necessary, and offer special security features such as cameras, sensor alarms, and biometric locks for racks.”
Multiple connectivity options ensure all clients’ needs are catered for, including dark fibre between sites and satellite connectivity.
“For example, some clients also require a line of sight to the Sky Tower in Auckland’s central business district (CBD), which we can facilitate, giving them added resilience,” details Addie.
STRATEGIC DEPLOYMENT
T4 plans to enhance its data centre infrastructure with a strong focus on sustainability and geographical growth.
In addition, strategic initiatives are in place to ensure that the expansion to the South Island aligns with the company’s vision for a greener digital future.
“The majority of NZ’s data centres are located in Auckland. Whilst latency was a concern in the past, making it logical to establish centres in the city with the largest population, this is no longer a significant issue – except for a few clients with synchronous requirements,” assures Addie.
Therefore, exploring alternative locations for data centre establishment is increasingly crucial for sustainability and reliability.
“Having most of the data centres in Auckland doesn’t make sense
anymore; the land is the most expensive in the country, there is only one source of grid power, the power supply is insufficient, and it contains the lowest mix of renewable energy options. Additionally, many of these centres, unlike ours, are built on flood plains and/or volcanic fields.
“Our nationwide distributed data centre model is a novel approach for NZ, and we are glad to do our part in making the country more resilient,” Addie emphasises.
PIONEERING GREEN POWER
NZ already benefits from some of the world’s greenest energy, particularly in the South Island, where hydroelectric generation contributes significantly to its renewable energy output.
“We are integrating solar energy into our plans to enhance our green policy further and reduce reliance on the national grid,” Addie proudly notes.
Tihi, T4’s cutting-edge facility in Auckland, exemplifies its commitment to sustainability. Built in alignment with ISO 14001 principles and fully certified, it is designed for the future – ready to embrace AI and other compute loads and support regional growth.
The Tihi data centre also boasts approximately 500 available, contiguous racks, each with 250 kilowatts of direct water cooling enabled.
As Kiwis adapt to the evolving digital landscape, Aotearoa’s data centres are becoming increasingly focused on reliability, security, and environmental considerations to meet the needs of both local and international clients.
T4 is therefore set apart by
its genuine commitment to ecofriendly operations, avoiding the greenwashing prevalent in the industry with practices that emphasise water cooling, energy efficiency, and environmentally responsible methods, thereby establishing a benchmark for doing things correctly.
“Looking ahead, our main priority for the coming year is to roll out our regional and solar initiatives,” Addie confidently concludes.
Aimed at bolstering the country’s digital resilience, T4 is also All of Government-approved and adheres to the highest national standards for security, reliability, and sovereignty, further solidifying its reputation.
With a combination of deep technical expertise, integrity, and
collaboration, the company is dedicated to high standards of sustainability and service, ensuring NZ’s digital future is both responsible and resilient.
Tel: 0800 844 7687 info@t4group.nz t4group.nz
Tel: 0800 844 7687 info@t4group.nz https://t4group.nz/contact