Horizontal works begin on Datagrid’s AI data centre campus in Makarewa

INVERCARGILL, New Zealand — 18 August 2026 — Datagrid today announced that horizontal works have commenced on its AI data centre campus in Makarewa, north of Invercargill, marking a major milestone for what will be New Zealand’s largest data centre project.

Datagrid has selected New Zealand company HEB Construction - a subsidiary of VINCI Construction, a world leader in construction, to deliver the horizontal works for the 49-hectare site.

The scope of works includes building a new access road connecting the campus to State Highway 98, upgrading existing roading infrastructure and excavating and reusing topsoil on site to create a six-metre-high bund. The bund will significantly reduce the campus’s visual and noise footprint, a commitment Datagrid has made to the surrounding Makarewa community.

The foundation platform for the future AI data centre facility, cable landing station and power substation are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“We are delighted to partner with HEB on the initial works of our project, which will allow us to match our ambitious project timeline,” said Rémi Galasso, CEO of Datagrid New Zealand. “Datagrid won’t just be the largest data centre project in New Zealand, but also one of the most sustainable data centre projects of that scale in the Asia Pacific. We hope to demonstrate that New Zealand has all the ingredients to be a world champion in this industry.”

“We are proud to be working with Datagrid to bring lasting economic and community benefit to the region,” says Mark Evans, CEO of HEB Construction.  “Datagrid’s project is a  once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Zealand, and I’m pleased we are part of enabling it , with our teams already on site.”