AWS announces new data centres, cloud region in Auckland
Amazon Web Services is expanding its cloud coverage throughout the APAC region with the announcement of a new data centre region in New Zealand. The Aotearoa New Zealand cloud region - AWS’ first in the country - will come online in 2024 and consist of three availability zones.
When the region goes live, it will be AWS’ 82nd availability zone across 25 AWS geographic regions. Globally, AWS has announced plans for 24 more availability zones and eight more AWS Regions in Australia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, as well as the one announced today in New Zealand.
AWS is building its usual array of hyperscale cloud data centres through a “local AWS entity in New Zealand.” The facilities’ specific locations have yet to be revealed, but an AWS economic impact report currently in the works claims that “the new AWS Asia Pacific (Auckland) Region will create 1,000 new jobs in New Zealand over the next 15 years through investment of NZ$7.5 billion (US$5.3 billion).” This would suggest the AWS cloud region will be focused on the north of the country.
“AWS supports thousands of organizations across New Zealand in their drive to innovate, succeed, and grow globally. AWS Cloud technology is providing new ways for government to further engage with citizens, for enterprises to innovate for their next phase of growth, and for entrepreneurs to build businesses and compete on a global scale,” said Prasad Kalyanaraman, Vice President of Infrastructure Services, AWS.
He added: “Our investments reflect AWS’s deep and long-term commitment to New Zealand. We are excited to build new world-class infrastructure locally, train New Zealanders with in-demand digital skills, and continue to help local organizations deliver applications that accelerate digital transformation and fuel economic growth.”
AWS claims that the presence of the new cloud region in New Zealand will enable even more developers, startups, and enterprises as well as government, education, and nonprofit organizations to run their applications and serve end users from data centers located within the country.
