New secure data centre Mātai opens at RNZAF Base Auckland
The facility will provide a centralised and secure environment for the processing and storage of some of New Zealand's most sensitive government information. The data centre, named Mātai, was built after several years of planning involving collaboration between multiple government agencies and local iwi Ngati Whātua o Kaipara.
Milestone for digital infrastructure
GCSB Director-General Andrew Clark described the inauguration of the data centre as an important advancement in the progression of the country's secure digital infrastructure. "This is an investment that has been years in the planning, due to the role of this facility in processing and storing some of our most sensitive government information."
He acknowledged the collective work and dedication of all parties involved in the development of the site, noting the particular combination of requirements and expectations that the project demanded. "Both the design and location of the facility were informed by a number of factors, including our unique environment and New Zealand's specific data storage needs."
Partnership with mana whenua
Clark paid tribute to Ngati Whātua o Kaipara, who played a meaningful role in the project by gifting the name Mātai to the building. He explained the cultural and geographic significance of the name in the context of the region's history. "A key partner in this build has been with mana whenua Ngati Whātua o Kaipara who have generously gifted the name Mātai to the building. The name comes from the site of an ancestral Pā, Rangi Mātai at Ōtakanini in South Kaipara and from where you can see in all directions."
Defence Force collaboration
The facility is located within the Whenuapai base perimeter, a site that offered the necessary amenities and level of security required for the project. Clark emphasised the value of this relationship and the benefits it brings to the operation of the data centre. "Also integral to the project has been the support of the New Zealand Defence Force, with Mātai located within the Whenuapai base perimeter."
Leadership in information security
The GCSB is responsible for managing the data centre as the lead agency for information security across government, supporting the wider public sector's requirements for digital safeguarding. The project is positioned as a reflection of the increasing significance of digital resilience and the importance of secure facilities for national data.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials, with the centre officially opened by Minister Responsible for the GCSB and Minister of Defence Judith Collins. The new facility is anticipated to play a fundamental role in advancing the government's data security and response capabilities as digital needs and security challenges continue to grow.
Follow us on:
Share on:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
High Court case and contentious letterbox drop: Who is Andrew Clark?
An Invercargill mayoral candidate says he is still fit for office despite past events landing him in the headlines and court. Andrew Clark is contesting the position currently held by his brother Nobby, in a move which has surprised and irked his older sibling. In Tasman, where Clark currently lives, he is also running for mayor under the first name Maxwell. The business owner made headlines for a range of incidents following the early 2000s including a land dispute, receiving money from a gang-affiliated event and spreading misinformation through pamphlets. Clark said he gave a lot of voluntary help to people and the issues were 'out of perspective' compared to what normal life had been for a long time. 'We've dealt with everything that comes up in a fair and reasonable basis, and I don't see any issue there whatsoever." In 2004, Clark faced legal action after the purchase of a neighbouring estate went awry. Problems arose when Clark and his partner presented a written agreement which was signed by all parties, only to be later contested for not reflecting the verbal agreement. The elderly neighbour - a trustee - said it was clear they were retaining the house and a parcel of land, but Clark and his partner maintained the $300,000 price tag included everything. Judge Ronald Young said in his judgement he did not find Clark to be 'a credible witness at all'. 'I had the distinct impression throughout his evidence that if he had no recollection of a proposition he was prepared to construct the happening and timing of it to suit himself,' Young wrote. He believed Clark knew he was getting a 'remarkable bargain' at $300,000 - a figure which was at least 50% under market value - and ordered the written contract be corrected. Clark told Local Democracy Reporting the neighbour "begged" them to buy the property with the sale only falling through after the other party pulled out thinking they could get more. He said the judge did not like him and he would have challenged the court ruling if he had money at the time. 'Very unfortunate. I'm very saddened by it all... I wish I could undo what had happened, but that's not possible.' Between 2012 and 2018, Clark was linked in media reports to a controversial Nelson biking event called Poker Run. Stuff reported the event was traditionally run by motorcycle gang associates with money raised going towards Clark's ambulance business Medimax. The events were monitored by police. Clark is still running Medimax and confirmed it operates as a business, not a charity. There were never any problems with the motorcycle group, which was charged like any other organisation, he said. 'These people, whether it's liked or not liked, they live in the community, they work in the community. 'For us it was just a professional role, do a professional job. That's all that was.' In 2018, Clark featured in a 1News bulletin as the man behind a pamphlet drop warning of a potential 8-metre tidal wave if the proposed Waimea Dam failed. Two thousand leaflets were distributed in Brightwater - a move labelled 'dirty and sneaky' by then-Nelson MP Nick Smith. Former Tasman mayor Richard Kempthorne said a catastrophic failure would see water going through houses at levels between 50cm and 100cm. Clark confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting he personally delivered the brochures and said he was just trying to share a risk which he thought hadn't been fully considered. The information included contact details for elected representatives. Clark is one of eight candidates contesting the Invercargill mayoralty this year and said he would move south, if elected. He will be in attendance the Southland Business Chamber mayoral debate on Tuesday. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
A High Court case and contentious letterbox drop: Who is Andrew Clark?
Nelson-based Andrew Clark is running for mayor of Invercargill while simultaneously going for the top job in Tasman. Photo: LDR / Matthew Rosenberg An Invercargill mayoral candidate says he is still fit for office, despite past events landing him in both the headlines and court. Andrew Clark is contesting the position currently held by his brother Nobby, in a move which has surprised and irked his older sibling. In Tasman, where Clark currently lives, he is also running for mayor under the first name Maxwell. The business owner made headlines for a range of incidents since the early 2000s including a land dispute, receiving money from a gang affiliated event, and spreading misinformation through pamphlets. Clark said he gave a lot of voluntary help to people, and the issues were "out of perspective" compared to what normal life had been for a long time. "We've dealt with everything that comes up in a fair and reasonable basis, and I don't see any issue there whatsoever," he said. In 2004, Clark faced legal action after the purchase of a neighbouring estate went awry. Problems arose when Clark and his partner presented a written agreement which was signed by all parties, only to be later contested for not reflecting the verbal agreement. The elderly neighbour - a trustee - said it was clear they were retaining the house and a parcel of land, but Clark and his partner maintained the $300,000 price tag included everything. Judge Ronald Young said in his judgement he did not find Clark to be "a credible witness at all". "I had the distinct impression throughout his evidence that if he had no recollection of a proposition he was prepared to construct the happening and timing of it to suit himself," Young wrote. He believed Clark knew he was getting a "remarkable bargain" at $300,000 - a figure which was at least 50 percent under market value - and ordered the written contract be corrected. Clark told Local Democracy Reporting the neighbour "begged" them to buy the property with the sale only falling through after the other party pulled out thinking they could get more. He said the judge did not like him and he would have challenged the court ruling if he had money at the time. "Very unfortunate. I'm very saddened by it all... I wish I could undo what had happened, but that's not possible." Between 2012 and 2018, Clark was linked in media reports to a controversial Nelson biking event called Poker Run. Stuff reported the event was traditionally run by motorcycle gang associates with money raised going towards Clark's ambulance business Medimax. The events were monitored by police. Clark is still running Medimax, and confirmed it operates as a business and not a charity. There were never any problems with the motorcycle group, which was charged like any other organisation, he said. "These people, whether it's liked or not liked, they live in the community, they work in the community. "For us it was just a professional role, do a professional job. That's all that was." In 2018, Clark featured in a 1News bulletin as the man behind a pamphlet drop warning of a potential eight-metre tidal wave if the proposed Waimea Dam failed. Two thousand leaflets were distributed in Brightwater, a move labelled "dirty and sneaky" by then-Nelson MP Nick Smith. Former Tasman mayor Richard Kempthorne said a catastrophic failure would see water going through houses at levels between 50cm and 100cm. Clark confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting he personally delivered the brochures and said he was just trying to share a risk which he thought hadn't been fully considered. The information included contact details for elected representatives. Clark is one of eight candidates contesting the Invercargill mayoralty this year and said he would move south if elected. He will be in attendance at Tuesday's Southland Business Chamber mayoral debate. * LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Scoop
04-08-2025
- Scoop
First ‘Climate Citizens' Approved By Nauru In World-First Program
The Republic of Nauru has welcomed its first new citizens under the government's Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program, announced at COP29 late last year. Nauru, ranked the world's fifth most vulnerable nation under the United Nations' Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for its heightened exposure to economic and environmental shocks, launched the program as a way for conscientious investors to acquire an additional citizenship while contributing to climate adaptation and sustainable development projects in the South Pacific. Program CEO Edward Clark revealed the first approved applicant is a German family of four who recently sold their long-standing family business – a well-known, reputable German company - and are currently living in Dubai. 'They were looking for a second citizenship to provide them with a Plan B given the current global political volatility and chose the Nauru Economic & Climate Resilience Citizenship Program because the contribution was going towards tackling the impacts of climate change on the island,' he explained. Mr Clark, who has an extensive background in international banking, financial crime and compliance, said it took under four months from receiving the application to the granting of citizenship, and that strict due diligence processes were followed. 'This is a fundamental pillar of our program and a safeguard for Nauru's reputation and security,' he said. 'All applicants undergo checks with international law enforcement agencies and are subject to in-depth background verification. Our entire application process is consistent with international best practices. He said only individuals of the highest calibre who can participate in shaping Nauru's future will be granted citizenship. 'The granting of Nauruan citizenship to this family marks a major milestone for the program and provides even more confidence to those who are currently exploring Nauru citizenship by investment.' Nauru is embarking on a long-term project that will reform the nation in the face of economic challenges and climate change, which as well as dealing with issues like food and water security, includes the 'Higher Ground Initiative' - relocating almost the entire population from the coast to higher ground. The new citizens from Germany applied through international migration agents Henley & Partners, who in a statement said the company is, 'incredibly proud to represent the first applicant to be successfully granted citizenship under the Republic of Nauru's Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program. 'For our firm, this goes beyond mobility; this is about directing capital into a Small Island Developing State, which is facing real climate risk. 'This is a clear example of how investment migration, when properly designed and governed, can channel capital toward economic and climate resilience measures and create a more sustainable future,' the statement concluded.
