If you’re trying to access the free Australian streaming service, 9Now in New Zealand, you won’t be able to access any of its content.
The reason this is happening is because 9Now only has the rights to broadcast its content in Australia, and it blocks anyone outside the country from accessing its service.
Fortunately, even though 9Now hasn’t been officially released here in New Zealand, there’s an easy way to access all of its content from anywhere in the world.
In this article, I’ll explain how to watch 9Now in NZ. All you need to do is make it look like you’re connecting to the internet from within Australia.
How to watch 9Now in NZ: Guide
Total Time: 2 minutes
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Create a new account with ExpressVPN or NordVPN
Register for an account with ExpressVPN or NordVPN. If you want the very best, these VPNs have been setting the standard in the industry for years. They’re the best VPNs on the market for reliably streaming content.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are renowned for their reliable and fast connections, which is crucial for streaming high-quality content without buffering or interruptions. You can get 3 months of an ExpressVPN subscription for free here. And similarly, you can get 3 months of a NordVPN subscription for free here.
If you don’t like the looks of ExpressVPN or NordVPN, don’t panic, just follow these same steps as the process will be the same no matter what VPN you use.
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Download and install the new VPN app
Once you’ve signed up for a VPN you can install it on nearly any device.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are available on Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire, Kindle, Amazon Fire Stick/TV, Chromecast, Nintendo Switch, Android TV and more.
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Open your VPN and connect to an Australian server
When you open the app, you’ll need to log in with the credentials you created.
Once logged in, select a server located in Australia. This will provide you with an Australian IP address.
This step is crucial as 9Now checks your IP address to determine your physical location whenever you connect to its service. And to watch 9Now in New Zealand, you need to have an IP address from within Australia.
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Connect to 9Now/or create an account if you don’t have one
Navigate to the 9Now website or app. If you already have an account, log in with your credentials.
If not, you’ll need to sign up for a new account (more below).
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Watch 9Now in NZ
Once you’re connected to an Australian server on your VPN and logged into 9Now, you will have access to all its content from within New Zealand.
How to create a 9Now account in NZ
Creating a 9Now account is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Download a reliable VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN or NordVPN
- Connect to an Australian server on your VPN
- Visit 9Now
- Click “Create a Nine account”
- Input your information, if it asks for an Australian postcode, you can get one here
- Watch 9Now in NZ
Why can’t I watch 9Now in New Zealand?
9Now is an Australian streaming service that offers live and on-demand content from the Nine Network. The primary reason you can’t watch 9Now in New Zealand is due to geo-restrictions.
These restrictions are in place because of licensing agreements that limit the distribution of content to certain geographical areas.
Essentially, 9Now has the rights to broadcast its content only within Australia, and these agreements prevent it from offering the same service to viewers in other countries, including New Zealand.
How does 9Now know my location?
Streaming services like 9Now utilise technology to enforce geo-restrictions primarily through a process called geo-blocking. This process involves determining the user’s geographical location by analysing their IP address.
Each time you connect to the internet, you’re assigned an IP address by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which is linked to your physical location.
Since these IP addresses are geographically distinct, websites and online services can easily identify the country from which a user is accessing the internet. If you’re in New Zealand, your IP address will show you’re in New Zealand.
How can I get around 9Now’s geo-location blocks?
There are a couple of ways to get around 9Now’s geo-location blocks, but the easiest and most effective method is often through the use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN allows you to route your internet connection through a server located in Australia, making it appear as though you are accessing the internet from within Australia. This masks your actual IP address and replaces it with one from the VPN’s server in Australia, effectively bypassing 9Now’s geo-restrictions.
When you connect to a VPN server located in Australia, any website or online service you access, including 9Now, will see your connection as coming from within Australia. This enables you to watch 9Now as if you were physically located in Australia, giving you access to live and on-demand content that was previously unavailable due to geo-blocking.
Will any VPN work with 9Now?
t all VPNs will work effectively with 9Now due to the streaming service’s efforts to detect and block VPN traffic. 9Now, like many other streaming platforms, actively identifies and restricts access from IP addresses known to belong to VPN services. This means that the VPN you choose needs to be capable of bypassing these detection measures to provide access to 9Now content.
A VPN that works well with 9Now typically has the following features:
- Servers in Australia: The VPN should have multiple servers located in Australia to provide you with several options to connect through, increasing your chances of finding a server that isn’t blocked.
- Strong Obfuscation Capabilities: Some VPNs offer obfuscated servers that can hide the fact you’re using a VPN, making it more difficult for 9Now to detect and block your access.
- Regularly Updated IP Addresses: VPNs that frequently update their server IP addresses can stay ahead of blacklists, ensuring that their servers remain unblocked by services like 9Now.
- Good Speeds and Reliable Connections: For streaming content in high definition without buffering, choose a VPN known for its fast and stable connections.
The VPN services we recommend for 9Now
1. ExpressVPN 🥇
The fastest and most reliable VPN of 2024
- ✔160 servers in 94 countries
- ✔24/7 Live Chat
- ✔8 simultaneous connections
- ✔New Apple TV app
- ✔30-day money-back guarantee
- ❌Expensive
- ❌No Password Manager
- ❌No Meshnet
- ❌No Dedicated IP
Streaming: ExpressVPN is renowned for its high-speed servers in Australia, ensuring smooth streaming of 9Now content, coupled with advanced encryption and proprietary Lightway protocol designed to bypass VPN blocks efficiently.
Servers: ExpressVPN boasts an extensive network of servers in Australia, providing numerous options for connecting to 9Now. Its high-speed servers and Lightway protocol ensure a seamless streaming experience, with minimal buffering and reliable bypassing of geo-restrictions.
Privacy: For privacy-conscious users, ExpressVPN also opens itself up to regular, and rigorous, third-party zero-log audits to prove its claims. You can find out a detailed list, and the results, of its Security Audits here.
Price: ExpressVPN has three payment options, a 1-month option costing $12.95/month, a 6-month option costing $9.99/month or a 12-month option costing $6.67/month. It accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and a variety of other payment systems.
Speeds: Below is a table that gives you an idea of the percentage drop-off you can expect when using ExpressVPN. From our tests, we got a 12-15% drop – which is very good from our test location (New Zealand).
| Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| No VPN (New Zealand) | 937.07 | 520.93 |
| ExpressVPN US server | 824.62 | 6.96 |
| ExpressVPN UK server | 794.95 | 3.70 |
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
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2. NordVPN $3.19/month
An incredibly fast and trustworthy VPN
- ✔Fast connection speeds
- ✔5,500+ servers in 59 countries
- ✔6 simultaneous connections
- ✔Free Meshnet + Password Manager
- ❌No free version
- ❌Complex interface for beginners
Streaming: NordVPN offers a vast network of over 190 Australian servers and employs Double VPN and obfuscated servers, making it exceptionally good at circumventing geo-restrictions and VPN detection mechanisms for uninterrupted 9Now access.
Servers: NordVPN’s presence in Australia is marked by over 190 servers, offering users a wide range of options for accessing 9Now content securely. Its advanced features like Double VPN and obfuscated servers are particularly effective at navigating around VPN blocks, ensuring consistent access to geo-restricted content.
Privacy: NordVPN emphasises its commitment to user privacy by consistently undergoing independent audits to validate its no-logs policy. Detailed reports and findings from these security audits are readily accessible for users seeking transparency and assurance.
Price: NordVPN provides several payment options for its standard package: a monthly plan at $12.99, a yearly plan at $4.99/month per month, and a two-year plan at $3.19/month. You can also opt for other packages that come with added features like Malware Protection, AdBlocker, a Cross-Platform Password Manager, a Data Breach Scanner, 1TB of Cloud Storage and file encryption software.
Speeds: Below is a table that gives you an idea of the speeds you can expect when using NordVPN:
| Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| VPN off (New Zealand) | 937.07 | 520.93 |
| ExpressVPN US server | 824.62 | 6.96 |
| ExpressVPN UK server | 794.95 | 3.70 |
Read our full NordVPN review.
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3. Private Internet Access $2.03/month
An affordable, reliable VPN
- ✔Robust AES-256 encryption
- ✔Over 35,000 servers globally
- ✔Built-in ad and malware blocking
- ✔10 simultaneous connections
- ❌Can have slower speeds
- ❌Basic app interface
4. Ivacy $1.00/month
A trustworthy and affordable VPN
- ✔Cost-effective pricing
- ✔Intuitive app design
- ✔Strict no browsing logs policy
- ✔Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections
- ❌Smaller server network compared to others
- ❌Lacks some advanced settings
- ❌Basic live chat support
5. CyberGhost $2.19/month
A solid VPN package
- ✔Supports 7 devices simultaneously
- ✔Strong encryption standards
- ✔Large selection of servers
- ✔Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
- ❌Variable connection speeds
- ❌Pricier than some rivals
Will a free VPN work with 9Now?
Using a free VPN to access 9Now might work, but it often comes with significant limitations and challenges. Free VPNs typically have a smaller number of servers, which can become overcrowded, leading to slower speeds and less reliable connections—factors that are detrimental to streaming quality. Additionally, since these servers are more widely known, 9Now’s geo-restriction technology might more easily identify and block them, making it harder to consistently access the service.
Moreover, free VPNs usually have data caps, bandwidth limitations, and might not offer the same level of security and privacy as paid services. This can result in a subpar streaming experience, with buffering, low-quality video, and potential privacy risks.
For a more reliable and secure way to access 9Now from outside Australia, investing in a reputable paid VPN service is generally recommended. Paid VPNs offer a wider selection of servers, better speeds, stronger encryption, and a more consistent ability to bypass geo-blocks and VPN detection mechanisms.
Is watching 9Now in NZ with a VPN legal?
Using a VPN to watch 9Now in New Zealand falls into a gray legal area. While it’s not illegal in most countries to use a VPN for accessing geo-restricted content, doing so can violate the terms of service of the streaming platform. 9Now, like many other streaming services, has terms of service that restrict access to their content based on geographic location due to licensing agreements. By using a VPN to access 9Now from New Zealand, you would be bypassing these geo-restrictions, which is against their terms.
However, the enforcement of these terms typically does not lead to legal action against individual users. Instead, streaming services may try to block VPN IP addresses or, in some cases, suspend or terminate accounts found to be violating their policies. It’s important to weigh the potential risks and to use VPN services responsibly, bearing in mind the terms of service of the platforms you’re accessing.
