Protesters target Data Centre Leaders Summit in Auckland, plan nationwide action against ‘AI factories’

PremiumChris KeallTechnology Editor/Senior Business Writer·NZ Herald·12 Aug, 2026 01:51 AM13 mins to read‌Stop Data Centres NZ organiser Shane McQuoid. The group is protesting outside the Data Centre Leaders Summit at the Cordis in Auckland as part of a series of protests planned nationwide today. Photo / Jason DordayAnti-data centre protests are planned around the country today in what organisers are billing as the first day of action against various “AI factories” planned for New Zealand. Around 25 members of Stop Data Centres NZ, which has a 17,300-strong Facebook group, gathered outside the Data Centre Leaders Summit at TOP