The Datagrid project is a nationally significant digital infrastructure development that will help position Southland as a strategic location for hyperscale data, AI, and international connectivity. The datacentre is being developed at Makarewa and is intended to support large-scale data and AI workloads, with dedicated energy and connectivity infrastructure.
Alongside the datacentre, Datagrid is developing the Tasman Ring Network — a high-fibre-count subsea cable system linking Invercargill directly with major Australian interconnection hubs. Purpose-built for hyperscale demand, the network is designed to deliver significantly reduced latency, capacity, and redundancy at international scale. It will provide capacity across routes including Invercargill to Sydney and Melbourne, Auckland to Sydney, Auckland to Melbourne, Sydney to Melbourne, and a domestic New Zealand route linking Auckland, New Plymouth, Greymouth, and Invercargill.
The Invercargill connection is the first international submarine cable landing in New Zealand’s South Island, with a landing station at the Datagrid Datacentre Park. The domestic route is also intended to bypass the Wellington fault zone, strengthening national resilience. Together, the Datacentre Park and Tasman Ring Network are designed to future-proof connectivity demand, support hyperscale growth, and elevate New Zealand’s role in the global digital economy.
As the project has progressed, Bonisch has continued to support detailed civil engineering design, technical modelling, civil early works planning, subdivision services, procurement, construction coordination and ongoing resource consent support. This has included work relating to stormwater systems, roading infrastructure, site servicing, cooling water modelling, rough order cost estimates, tender documentation, and support through tender evaluation and delivery planning.
The Datagrid project demonstrates the strength of Bonisch’s multi-disciplinary model and our ability to support complex infrastructure from early feasibility and consenting through to design, procurement, construction coordination, and site-based delivery. It is also a strong example of how local expertise can contribute to nationally significant infrastructure and help support Southland’s future as a connected, resilient, and globally relevant region.
Datagrid New Zealand engaged Bonisch Consultants Ltd to lead and support the resource consent process for the Makarewa Datacentre project.
Bonisch played a key role in managing and progressing a complex consenting pathway for a large-scale data centre development, coordinating technical inputs and providing clear, pragmatic advice throughout the process. Their staged civil design strategy was particularly valuable in supporting the consent application, allowing key enabling works and assumptions to be clearly articulated while managing risk associated with an evolving project.
Bonisch demonstrated a strong understanding of planning and consenting requirements and worked effectively with Datagrid, specialist consultants, and stakeholders to ensure information provided to the consent authority was robust, well-structured, and fit for purpose. Their proactive approach helped maintain momentum and provided Datagrid with confidence in decision-making during the consent phase.
We found Bonisch to be professional, responsive, and solutions-focused, with a clear grasp of both regulatory requirements and delivery outcomes. Datagrid would readily recommend Bonisch for projects requiring experienced leadership through complex resource consent processes.
Alex Bunce – Datagrid Development Manager
Further information about the project can be found here Datagrid New Zealand receives resource consent to establish the nation’s first AI factory — Datagrid
The Datagrid project is a nationally significant digital infrastructure development that will help position Southland as a strategic location for hyperscale data, AI, and international connectivity. The datacentre is being developed at Makarewa and is intended to support large-scale data and AI workloads, with dedicated energy and connectivity infrastructure.
Alongside the datacentre, Datagrid is developing the Tasman Ring Network — a high-fibre-count subsea cable system linking Invercargill directly with major Australian interconnection hubs. Purpose-built for hyperscale demand, the network is designed to deliver significantly reduced latency, capacity, and redundancy at international scale. It will provide capacity across routes including Invercargill to Sydney and Melbourne, Auckland to Sydney, Auckland to Melbourne, Sydney to Melbourne, and a domestic New Zealand route linking Auckland, New Plymouth, Greymouth, and Invercargill.
The Invercargill connection is the first international submarine cable landing in New Zealand’s South Island, with a landing station at the Datagrid Datacentre Park. The domestic route is also intended to bypass the Wellington fault zone, strengthening national resilience. Together, the Datacentre Park and Tasman Ring Network are designed to future-proof connectivity demand, support hyperscale growth, and elevate New Zealand’s role in the global digital economy.
As the project has progressed, Bonisch has continued to support detailed civil engineering design, technical modelling, civil early works planning, subdivision services, procurement, construction coordination and ongoing resource consent support. This has included work relating to stormwater systems, roading infrastructure, site servicing, cooling water modelling, rough order cost estimates, tender documentation, and support through tender evaluation and delivery planning.
The Datagrid project demonstrates the strength of Bonisch’s multi-disciplinary model and our ability to support complex infrastructure from early feasibility and consenting through to design, procurement, construction coordination, and site-based delivery. It is also a strong example of how local expertise can contribute to nationally significant infrastructure and help support Southland’s future as a connected, resilient, and globally relevant region.
Datagrid New Zealand engaged Bonisch Consultants Ltd to lead and support the resource consent process for the Makarewa Datacentre project.
Bonisch played a key role in managing and progressing a complex consenting pathway for a large-scale data centre development, coordinating technical inputs and providing clear, pragmatic advice throughout the process. Their staged civil design strategy was particularly valuable in supporting the consent application, allowing key enabling works and assumptions to be clearly articulated while managing risk associated with an evolving project.
Bonisch demonstrated a strong understanding of planning and consenting requirements and worked effectively with Datagrid, specialist consultants, and stakeholders to ensure information provided to the consent authority was robust, well-structured, and fit for purpose. Their proactive approach helped maintain momentum and provided Datagrid with confidence in decision-making during the consent phase.
We found Bonisch to be professional, responsive, and solutions-focused, with a clear grasp of both regulatory requirements and delivery outcomes. Datagrid would readily recommend Bonisch for projects requiring experienced leadership through complex resource consent processes.
Alex Bunce – Datagrid Development Manager
Further information about the project can be found here Datagrid New Zealand receives resource consent to establish the nation’s first AI factory — Datagrid
