Open Mike 13/03/2026

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 42 comments
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42 comments on “Open Mike 13/03/2026”

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  1. 1

    Following on from the granting of consent for the massively power-hungry "AI factory" in Southland discussed in yesterday's Open Mike, here is a data centre just approved in Lincolnshire, UK, that will produce massive CO2 emissions.

    "According to the tech justice nonprofit Foxglove, the projected emissions produced will approach those generated by every domestic flight taken in the UK."

    As with the Southland Ai factory, the Lincolnshire AI data centre is justified because there are renewable energy sources available nearby:

    "despite the “large absolute energy demand” of the development, the impact of emissions was not significant due to the data centre’s proximity to clean energy sources in the Humber region."

    This is pure greenwashing.

    There is no such thing as "spare" renewable energy. Renewable energy requires significant capital investment to produce it, and this renewable energy could and should be used to power homes or useful productive and viable businesses either now or in the future. It should NOT be used for for largely useless, unproductive and ridiculously power-hungry AI data centres.

    https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/12/council-approves-lincolnshire-datacentre-despite-emissions-warnings

    This should be an issue in the upcoming election. It should be mandatory for all AI data centres to provide all of the energy needed to power their operations as a condition of the resource consent.

    1. 1.1

      There's a few docos on YouTube about them being built (& always in poor areas) & it's the sound ((constant hum) which drives people crazy & then they can't sell their homes. There's a reason they're not being built in Remura & Riverside Drive but in faraway Invercragil.

      1. 1.1.1

        I heard that IFL. There is a big movement against AI facilities in the USA for that reason and for the power issue. From AI:

        "Data center expansion in the United States is facing significant, growing opposition, with approximately $64.4 billion in projects either blocked or delayed over the last two years due to local resistance, according to Data Centre Watch."

      2. 1.1.2

        I think the Southland proposal is a little distant from the city.

        I was watching this video yesterday, and he makes an interesting point. Running AI models locally and privately is going to become more and more popular (and necessary to protect your own private interests) because of the cost factor. And what impact is this going to have on AI Centers which are costly and require a return on investment? The comments section is full of debate whether he is right or not.

        The AI model he refers to has 36 billion parameters and does not need an internet connection.

        Rick Beato is also a good watch for all us muso's 🙂

        1. 1.1.2.1

          to aj at 1;1;2 :

          To me your comment about the the proposed Southland A1 plant not being near a city implies that its massive CO2 output is of no consequence, but added CO2 is global pollution, no matter where or how it's produced.

          1. 1.1.2.1.1

            A1 plant not being near a city implies that its massive CO2 output is of no consequence

            I was replying to I Feel Love 1.1 at 8:24am so my comment, which was not clear, was about the noise factor. I agree with you about CO2 output.

      4. 1.1.4

        Mini nuclear power generators should be (or should become when they are viable) part of the datacentre's build so they are providing their own clean energy?

      1. 1.2.1

        You don't seem to understand the argument Incog, which is not like you.

        You are right that around 93% of existing electricity, on average, does come from renewables because most of it comes from hydro and thermal sources.

        But in order to produce the mass of additional power AI data centres will consume considerable additional power generation is is going to be needed. This may come from fossil fuels or from renewables. If this power comes from fossil fuels, as this government would support (CNG especially, but also coal) this will add greatly to CO2 emissions. But it may come from renewables such as solar, wind or thermal. But in BOTH cases this will need large-scale investment to produce the energy for the AI facilities.

        There is a huge opportunity cost here. NZ can use the investment opportunity to create power for homes and viable, useful and productive businesses, or instead we could use the same investment opportunity to produce power for (what I would argue are) useless and unproductive AI facilities.

        Given these options it would obviously make sense for NZ to adopt the first option, while at the same time requiring that any additional energy needed for the AI centres be provided and paid for by the companies developing the AI facilities.

            1. 1.2.1.2.1.1

              All good, you’re always respectful and I didn’t consider your comment belligerent last night; it was clarifying, which I asked for. I hope you don’t have a hangover or jetlag still.

  2. 2

    Where are Luxon’s 10,000 quick charging EV outlets that he promised? His lies and empty promises are catching up with him.

    1. 2.1

      & after fermenting distrust in Govt & mandates how will the NZ populace cope with (possible) mandated "car free" days. National, NZ 1st & ACT are cooked.

      1. 2.1.1

        We coped with them just fine when they were brought in back in the 70's.

        What confuses me is that oil price in 2022 was way higher than today at about 122 us per barrel (especially if you account for 4 years of currency devaluation via inflation) so why are petrol prices today suddenly jumped to over $3 per liter or more so much higher than a) yesterday? and b) 2022?

        petrol prices have always smelt dodgy IMO.

    2. 2.2

      Luxon likes to pretend he/National is pro-environment but in policy terms, and facts on the ground, he has caved in to Shane Jones and David Seymour.

  3. 3

    Israel will do to parts of Lebanon and of Iran what it has done to Gaza.
    The war in Iran must primarily be analysed as an Israeli project with the USA along as a willing manipulated tool.

  4. 4

    A few interesting headlines from The Guardian, 22 Sept 2017:

    "Trump and Netanyahu target Iran" (opposing UN nuclear deal with Iran)

    "Baltic alarm over Moscow manoeuvres"

    "Forests are disappearing as demand for chocolate soars"

    "Can Ardern win in New Zealand?"

    "It's time to tell a new story if we want to change the world" (George Monbiot)

    1. 4.1

      The more things change, the more they stay the same (apart from Ardern – these would be just as valid today)

        1. 4.1.1.1

          This headline was very specifically addressing forest destruction as a result of intensive cocoa (i.e. chocolate) production.

          Which is still happening.

          https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?15675941/Business-as-usual-cocoa-Is-driving-a-new-wave-of-global-forest-destruction-warns-new-WWF-report

          It's is not really relevant that forest cover (of plantation monoculture pines) is increasing in NZ, when bio-diverse forests are being destroyed in Africa (and other countries).

  5. 5

    Just listened to Shane Jones on National Radio talking about the closure of the Refinery back a few years ago – time NZ First were asked why they closed Watties . . .

  6. 6

    A shoutout to the PSA who keep key issues on the forefront.

    "Part time workers are particularly badly affected, many of whom are women. This is the latest war on women from a Minister and Government that cancelled pay equity settlements in the dead of night with no prior notice."

    […]

    "Let’s not forget that on top of cancelling pay equity, workers are suffering after the Government has suppressed minimum wage rises, stripped away their job security, and is also trying to undermine their health and safety.

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2603/S00081/psa-calls-on-mps-to-sign-pledge-to-stop-cuts-to-holidays-and-pay-for-thousands-of-workers.htm

    Brooke van Velden continues to spearhead the anti-worker campaign by the Coalition and particularly ACT.

    At its First Reading in the House, it received full support from NZ First.

  7. 7

    Matthew Hooten has had a spittle flecked serve at Chris Hipkins (in his role as Covid 19 Minister at the time) today in his weekly column – as he is want to do. Of course it's paywalled, but here's the start –

    'Labour leader Chris Hipkins has admitted “with hindsight” that he made mistakes as Covid-19 Minister.

    Yet he won’t apologise, especially to Aucklanders. Until he does, his returning as Prime Minister is unconscionable.

    It’s also untrue that his “mistakes” are recognisable only in hindsight. This week’s 586-page Royal Commission report reads as an extended version of what I and others were saying in the earliest days of the first lockdown.'

    As Paula Bennett was quoted as saying a few years ago: 'Settle Pettal' – obviously he is reacting to the commentary on the recently released second enquiry into the pandemic and he doesn't appear to like what he has heard and read.

    Jeez Matthew, get over it.

  8. 8

    It comes down to perception.

    This suggests panic buying behaviour is largely driven by how everyday people interpret risk and decide what feels reasonable in uncertain situations.

    https://theconversation.com/panic-buying-just-makes-shortages-worse-why-do-people-do-it-anyway-277964

    Risk assessment is also at the base of price rises.

    But he [the chief executive of Waitomo Group, Simon Pareham] also says this isn't a supply crisis.

    "What we're seeing … is that geo-political risk is being priced in," he says.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/thedetail/589439/uncertainty-over-the-fuel-that-drives-our-economy

    This includes hikes by insurance companies.

    And to all those people lamenting the loss of the Marsden Point oil refinery, Collins [AA's fuel expert Terry Collins] doesn't believe keeping it in action would have made a difference – he explains why in the podcast. [about 19:30 min into the podcast, i.e., towards the end]

    1. 8.1

      Speaking of panic buying, I never got my head around the whole toilet paper thing during covid. I mean why would you go out and panic buy huge amounts of loo paper? If you actually ran out there's a myriad of other stuff you could use if you had to. And if it was really serious you could survive easily without it altogether as billions around the world do anyway. I remember thinking to myself at the time that toilet paper wouldn't be anywhere near the top of my list of things I would need to stock up on if it came to it. I just don't get it… anyone know the answer?

      1. 8.1.1

        It's a control thing. When it feels like you have no control over something which is deeply frightening, a common reaction is to exercise control over the things that you can control (retail therapy). And a perception of a shortage, results in increased desirability.

        https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/heres-why-people-are-panic-buying-and-stockpiling-toilet-paper.html

        Even though we manufacture tp in NZ – and had zero chance of actually running out (as a country) the overseas panic buying memes spread here (thanks social media), and the sight of it disappearing off supermarket shelves and being rationed – fueled the demand.

        Psychology.

  10. 10

    C of C trying to diminish local school food programmes.

    But the change came after cuts were already made across the programme, with internal model schools going from $5.63 for years 0 to 3 and $6.60 for years 4 to 6 to $4.51 for all students.

    Mila said it felt as though schools were being pressured to go to the external model.

    It meant the school could also provide local employment, use fresh produce from the school garden and model the programme against marae.

    Labour education spokesperson Ginny Andersen said Labour would reinstate the previous programme to provide free, fresh and locally made school lunches.

    https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360964418/funded-fail-further-cuts-coming-some-school-lunches

  11. 11

    Found my favorite new holiday, reporting the inundation of national,and national,s yapping poodles for spreading false information, not sure it'll achieve anything but it's fun

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