Google said its Honomoana subsea cable is in advanced construction stages and is expected to land in Ōrewa, Auckland, in early 2026. The cable will also link New Zealand to Google’s previously announced Pacific Connect Initiative, a trans-Pacific subsea network including connections to Fiji and French Polynesia.
Delivered in partnership with several parties, Google New Zealand country director Caroline Rainsford said this investment will provide new, resilient connections, including: the first direct path between New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia; the first direct connection from New Zealand to Polynesia; and the first Southern Pacific path to South America via Chile.
Rainsford’s cable update coincided with the publication of a Google-commissioned report by Public First which claims AI could add NZD 36 billion to the economy – the equivalent of the Waikato’s GDP – and boost productivity by over 10%, across industries like healthcare, education, and financial services. She said to maximise the AI opportunity, there are some clear pathways New Zealand must take to ensure this opportunity is realised.
“Digital infrastructure must keep pace with new demands,” she said. “Honomoana is a new subsea cable that will significantly strengthen New Zealand’s digital resilience, capacity, and reach across the Pacific – a region deeply connected to our culture, economy and security.”
“We are partnering with local organisations like EonFibre and CDC Data Centres, and engaging with local communities, iwi, and local government to land this connection,” she added.
“We’re delighted to collaborate with Google to construct the new fibre infrastructure required for the Honomoana cable,” said EonFibre CEO Richard Mooney. “This new subsea cable will bolster New Zealand’s digital infrastructure foundations and further strengthen our country’s connectivity beyond its shores, which is vital for us to harness the economic opportunities presented by AI and cloud computing adoption.”
“Much like CDC’s data centres, this cable is a key piece of infrastructure and another essential component of our digital ecosystem,” said CDC Data Centres managing director (NZ) Andrew Kirker. “Together, submarine cables and data centres create the digital superhighways that connect the world and enable seamless connectivity and digital services. This new connection further positions New Zealand to capture the billions of dollars in economic and productivity value from advancements in cloud, AI and advanced computing.”
He added: “It has been a privilege for the CDC team to collaborate with Google on this significant project.”
Google said its AI technologies are already helping improve energy efficiency in New Zealand, including a partnership with Vector and X’s Tapestry project that has made Auckland’s grid inspections 83% faster. The company is also expanding AI education and skills initiatives, including programmes in schools and adult learning, as only one-third of New Zealanders currently use AI daily. Google reports its AI-powered services contributed an estimated NZD 8.8 billion to New Zealand’s economy in 2024 and urges wider business adoption to boost productivity and growth.
New Zealand Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2025
On 6th November 2025, New Zealand will play host to two landmark gatherings happening side by side – The New Zealand Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2025 and Interconnect World New Zealand 2025. Together, these events create the nation’s most influential platform for exploring the future of digital infrastructure, connectivity and innovation.
Delegates will gain exclusive insights into global and regional trends shaping cloud, data centers and interconnectivity- while also addressing New Zealand’s unique opportunities and challenges. Expect interesting keynotes, panel debates, fireside chats and case studies covering topics such as AI, cloud computing, sustainability, cybersecurity and interconnectivity.
To attend, please visit: https://clouddatacenter.events/events/new-zealand-cloud-datacenter-convention-2025/