Amazon plans to invest more than NZD 7.5B in New Zealand

Amazon plans to invest more than NZD 7.5B in New Zealand

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a substantial investment in New Zealand, with plans to invest over NZD 7.5 billion to support the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of its data centers in the country. This strategic move aims to enhance the digital infrastructure of New Zealand, fostering innovation and economic growth.

The new AWS Asia Pacific (New Zealand) Region will consist of three Availability Zones at launch, adding to the existing 120 Availability Zones across 38 AWS Regions globally. This expansion is part of AWS's ongoing commitment to provide customers with advanced and secure cloud technologies, while also meeting local data residency requirements.

The investment is expected to support an average of more than 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs annually in New Zealand, contributing approximately NZD 10.8 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) [1]. This significant economic impact underscores AWS's dedication to supporting local communities and fostering technological advancements.

AWS has also committed to training 100,000 people in New Zealand in cloud skills through its AWS Academy, AWS Educate, and AWS Skill Builder programs. This initiative is part of a broader effort to upskill students, local developers, and technical professionals, thereby empowering New Zealand's workforce to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the tech industry [1].

Moreover, the AWS Asia Pacific (New Zealand) Region will be underpinned by renewable energy from day one, with a long-term project involving Mercury NZ for the Turitea South wind farm. This partnership supports the development of new renewable energy capacity in New Zealand and aligns with Amazon's sustainability goals [1].

Amazon's investment in New Zealand is part of its broader strategy to expand its global cloud infrastructure. The company has already established diverse, high-capacity subsea cable connections, Amazon CloudFront edge locations, and AWS Direct Connect locations in Auckland to enhance network reliability and performance for customers [1].

In conclusion, Amazon's significant investment in New Zealand's cloud infrastructure is set to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and create high-skilled job opportunities. The new AWS Region will provide customers with advanced cloud technologies while meeting local data residency requirements, thereby accelerating digital transformation across various sectors.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/AMZN/amazon-launches-infrastructure-region-in-new-wzr9tt433j56.html