'World-first' system will monitor New Zealand's critical underwater cables

Technology that aims to better protect New Zealand's critical underwater cables has been launched at the Maritime Operations Centre in Wellington.

The system will trigger an alert if a vessel comes to close to underwater infrastructure, or is carrying out an activity that risks damaging it.

Associate transport minister James Meager described the 24/7 monitoring system as a "world-first".

He said the technology would go a long way in ensuring submarine cables, which carry about 99 percent of New Zealand's data traffic, were protected, which was vital to New Zealand's security and resilience.

"Even minor contact from fishing gear or anchors can compromise a cable's protective outer layer. When this occurs, there is a real risk of widespread digital disruption, with significant impacts for businesses, communities and the wider economy," Meager said.

If the technology is triggered, mariners would receive a direct contact reminding them of the risks and legal obligations.

Meager said the nationwide rollout followed a successful trial in the Hauraki Gulf and Muriwai cable areas last year.

While the creation of the technology came from an annual $4.5 million investment into the national Data Fusion System, its delivery by Kordia and Startime Maritime Intelligence would come at no taxpayer expense, as Meager said the companies that owned the assets would pay for it.