After a Couple of False Starts, T4 Group Confirms Land Purchase for New Data Centre

The company has expanded through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, bolstering its infrastructure and environmental commitments.
Recent developments include land acquisition for a new data centre in Invercargill

T4 Group confirmed today (Sunday 14th April) the purchase of the land required to build their long-planned data centre. There has been a competitive race between Datagrid and T4 Group, with various announcements but limited progress.

In March 2023 T4 Group director David Simpson said “The construction of a $50 million carbon-free data centre in Southland is on track with stage one of the project starting in May’.

April 2022 saw T4 Group acquiring Advanced Data Centres (ADC) in Northland, a move that bolstered its regional data networks. This expansion was complemented by a significant partnership with NTT Ltd later that year, aligning T4 with international standards in data centre infrastructure and sustainability.

In early 2024, T4 Group further expanded its capacity by acquiring the East Tāmaki Data Centre from Kyndryl. This not only increased T4’s service capacity but also enhanced its commitment to resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure across New Zealand.

The latest development from T4 Group came on April 14, 2024, with the acquisition of land in Invercargill for a new data centre. The company announced that detailed engineering would start soon, with the first stage planned to complete by March 31, 2025. This project aims to utilise renewable energy sources, including solar power, marking another step towards T4 Group’s dedication to environmental sustainability.

However, with previous announcements of start dates followed by delays, there is cautious anticipation for the completion of this project.

Since 2020, Southland has been recognised as an emerging hub for technological infrastructure, with significant investments aimed at strengthening the region’s data centre capabilities.

2020: The initiative began with Datagrid’s announcement of a billion-dollar plan to construct a state-of-the-art data centre at Makarewa, north of Invercargill. This significant investment promised to transform the technological landscape of the region.
28 March 2022: Adding to the technological influx, T4 Group announced its plans for a $50 million data centre in Southland. This facility was envisioned to enhance regional data networks and provide robust, environmentally sustainable infrastructure throughout New Zealand.
20 March 2023: T4 Group provided a promising update, confirming that the construction of the $50 million carbon-free data centre was on track. The project’s director reported that stage one of construction was scheduled to begin in May 2023, highlighting the project’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
14 April 2024: Further details emerged T4 Group confirm land purchase and completion of the first stage expected to completed by 31 March 2025.

Ownership of T4 Group is split between two holding companies—one associated with HWR Group and another shared among T4 directors Dean Addie, Jason Porter, and David Simpson. While details of the exact location of the new data centre remain undisclosed, there has been speculation about its proximity to the Ascot Park Hotel.

With these strategic acquisitions and developments, T4 Group solidifies its leadership in providing secure, reliable, and green data centre services, supporting the digital needs of New Zealand businesses and fostering significant community engagement.