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AI: Risks and the Family Silver
Fabian Occasional Paper
Dr Robert Howell - October 2026
1 Introduction and Summary
There has been growing concerns voiced internationally about the dangers of AI being out of human control, and the environmental impacts on water, energy and noise. This article addresses firstly, the out-of-human-control risk of AI; secondly the environment issues in New Zealand with Datagrid in Southland; and thirdly, how does New Zealand benefit – are we selling the country’s silver?
We begin with a definition of an AI data centre. Then similarities between AI and nuclear warfare are described and a comparable process to avoid nuclear warfare is suggested. When considering the New Zealand scene, a description of the Australian Government’s position is given, because the New Zealand Labour Party’s policy is very influenced by this. This leads to consideration of the Pope’s Magnifica Humanitas, which Albanese called superb, and the position of Mariana Mazzucato regarding the common good, and missions.
Then there are summaries of New Zealand Labour’s policy; references to the Datagrid project in Southland, and a recent Conference in Auckland (planning for five to ten AI facilities over the next four years). The New Zealand Public Service has produced a framework supporting the responsible use of AI technologies across the Public Service, and this sits within the National AI Strategy which was launched in July 2025. The work of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is briefly described, and the OECD AI Principles, which MBIE has adopted.
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The New Zealand Superannuation Fund: Their Ethical Muddle Continues
Fabian Occasional Paper
Dr Robert Howell - August 2026
1 Introduction
In April 2026, the New Zealand High Court ruled that the New Zealand Superannuation Fund’s (NZSF) sustainable investment policies were "unlawful and unreasonable" for lacking clear, consistent human rights benchmarks. The Court stated that the NZSF’s investment policies did not clearly set out the standards and procedures as required by Section 60 (2). Nor did the evidence demonstrate consistent adherence to any written procedures, for example setting out who would decide key issues and when.
Standards and procedures are needed to implement the requirement to avoid prejudice to New Zealand’s reputation as a responsible member of the world community (Section 58 (c)). The judicial review (Nazzal v Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation [1]) was brought by activists from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa over holdings in companies listed on a UN database concerning the West Bank.
In August 2026, The Guardians published an Updated Sustainable Investment Policy Document. [2] This publication demonstrates that that they have failed to learn from the Court’s ruling.
Read more: The New Zealand Superannuation Fund: Their Ethical Muddle Continues
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An Assessment of Climate Warming Timelines and the Implications for New Zealand
Fabian Occasional Briefing Paper [1]
Dr Robert Howell - July 2026
1 Introduction
The purpose of this Report is to describe the concerns of climate scientists and others about the reassessment of the timing of increase in the frequency and severity of severe weather events, and identify some of the implications for New Zealand organisations, in particular financial institutions and Fonterra, regarding their scenarios. Scenarios dealing with 1.5 degrees Celsius warming are now out dated, and scenarios of 3 and above degrees Celsius warming will lead to collapse of the international economy. We are running out of time to make the necessary changes to our institutions and economy.
2 Emissions
Many are still using the targets of zero emissions by 2050. These is now out of date. The current picture is much more alarming.
a) James Hansen, one of the world’s foremost climate scientists, states that 2 degrees Celsius will more likely be reached during the decade 2030 [2] ;
Read more: An Assessment of Climate Warming Timelines and the Implications for New Zealand
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