Energy is the lifeblood of the economy – we are at risk of bleeding out

OpinionOpinion bySimon BridgesNZ Herald·19 Aug, 2026 04:59 PM6 mins to readSimon Bridges is CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber and a former Minister of Energy and Resources.Liam Dann & Tamsyn Parker break down the biggest stories in the economy this week. Brought to you by CMC Markets.Stepping out of the office the other day, I happened upon a group protesting against what they saw as a looming data centre Armageddon.

I had half a mind to stop and explain to them that, regardless of any impact data centres might or might not have on water resources,