Did you know that the New Zealand version of Netflix has less content than Australia, the UK and the US, with 4,635 titles? The UK has 5,673 titles, the US 5,879, and Australia has more than us with 5,349.
The good news is it’s incredibly easy to increase the amount of content you can access on Netflix here in New Zealand. With a reliable VPN, you can access Netflix libraries from anywhere worldwide.
This article will explain the easiest way to watch US Netflix in NZ.
How to watch US Netflix in NZ: Guide
Total Time: 2 minutes
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Create a new account with a VPN
To watch US Netflix in New Zealand, you need a VPN because US Netflix restricts its content to the United States. A VPN helps you bypass these geographical restrictions by masking your actual location and making it look like you’re accessing Netflix from within the US, allowing you to access US Netflix from New Zealand.
There are many VPNs that you can use, however from our experience the best VPNs for watching US Netflix in New Zealand are ExpressVPN and NordVPN. We use these daily and don’t have any issues when watching US Netflix in New Zealand.
If you don’t opt for these VPNs, don’t worry, the process is exactly the same for all VPNs.
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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 is 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 new app and connect to a US server
To access US Netflix in New Zealand, you need to make the streaming service think you’re accessing it from within the US. To do that you need to change your New Zealand IP address into a US IP address.
Connecting to a US server on your VPN will allow you to do this. Now you’ll be able to access the US Netflix platform in New Zealand.
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Watch US Netflix in NZ
Once you’re connected to a US server on your chosen VPN you’ll be able to watch US Netflix on any device in New Zealand. You don’t even need to make a new Netflix account. And remember always ensure you’re connected to a US server on your chosen VPN.
How to watch US Netflix in NZ: Video Guide
Why does New Zealand have less content on Netflix?
Netflix has less content in New Zealand compared to other countries for several reasons:
Licensing Rights: Movies and TV shows are owned by different companies. Netflix has to get permission, or a license, to show these in each country. If they get a show or movie license in New Zealand, they can show it there.
Market Size: New Zealand has fewer people than many other countries. Because of this, Netflix might not spend as much money to get licenses for New Zealand, which means fewer shows and movies are available there.
Local Laws: New Zealand might have rules about how much local (New Zealand) content needs to be on Netflix. This can limit the amount of content from other countries.
Other Streaming Services: If other streaming services in New Zealand have exclusive rights to certain shows or movies, Netflix can’t show these in New Zealand.
Netflix’s Business Decisions: Netflix decides where to offer more content based on where they think they can make the most money or attract more customers. This can lead to more content in some countries and less in others, like New Zealand.
Can I access different Netflix libraries in New Zealand?
Yes, in New Zealand, you can access Netflix libraries from other countries; there’s many ways to do this. The best way is with a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN is a tool that changes your internet location. Using a VPN can make it look like you’re using the internet from another country.
So, if you connect to a server in the USA through a VPN, Netflix will think you’re in the USA and show you the American Netflix library.
You could also use a proxy server or a smart DNS setup. A proxy acts as a middleman between your device and the internet. When you use a proxy, your internet requests are sent through this intermediary. The proxy hides your actual location, making it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from somewhere else.
A smart DNS changes the DNS (Domain Name System) settings on your device. It reroutes the parts of your internet traffic that determine your geographical location through a server in a different country.
However, a VPN is generally considered better than both a proxy and a SmartDNS. A VPN not only changes your location but also encrypts all of your internet traffic, providing greater privacy and security. This makes it more difficult for others to track your online activities or intercept your data. Additionally, VPNs are often more reliable for accessing geo-restricted content, as they are harder for services like Netflix to detect and block.
Does Netflix block VPNs?
Yes, Netflix does block VPNs. Netflix has systems in place to detect and restrict the use of VPNs by its users. This is because the content available on Netflix is licensed by region, and the company is required to enforce the geographic restrictions set by content owners.
When Netflix identifies that a user is connecting via a VPN, it typically blocks access to its content library, often displaying an error message indicating that a proxy or VPN has been detected. This is a part of Netflix’s effort to comply with its licensing agreements.
To successfully bypass Netflix’s VPN blocks, a high-quality VPN is essential. Good VPNs are more adept at evading detection because they use advanced techniques to mask their VPN traffic, making it appear as regular internet traffic. This includes regularly updating their server IPs, employing more sophisticated encryption methods, and offering dedicated streaming servers.
Additionally, premium VPNs tend to have a larger network of servers across different countries, which provides more options for accessing various Netflix libraries. They also invest in faster servers and better infrastructure to offer a smooth streaming experience, which is crucial for watching high-definition content without buffering or interruptions.
Which VPNs work with Netflix?
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | PIA | Ivacy | CyberGhost | |
| Hulu | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Download Speed | 79 Mbps | 71 Mbps | 27 Mbps | 31 Mbps | 41 Mbps |
| Throttling | 79% | 71% | 27% | 31% | 41% |
| Stream quality | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Price per month | $6.66 | $3.79 | $2.03 | $1.00 | $2.19 |
The VPN services we recommend for watching US Netflix in New Zealand
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 has been the best VPN for several years. What makes it better than the competition is its reliability with streaming services.
Servers: ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs in this regard, with servers based in 94 countries around the world. This is well above the 71-country average and is second only to HMA’s massive 218 supported countries.
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.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
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 is great for accessing streaming services, with top-notch security, fast connections, and easy access to geo-blocked shows and movies.
Servers: NordVPN has servers in 60 countries. While this is low compared to the 71 country average, the servers it has are very fast and reliable.
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.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
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
Is watching US Netflix in NZ legal?
Watching US Netflix in New Zealand or accessing any region-specific Netflix content from outside its intended region falls into a legal grey area. Technically, it is not illegal in the sense of violating New Zealand laws; however, it does breach Netflix’s terms of service. When you sign up for Netflix, you agree to abide by their rules, which include not using tools like VPNs to circumvent geographical content restrictions.
While using a VPN to access US Netflix from New Zealand isn’t considered a criminal act, it can lead to consequences from Netflix itself. These can include warnings, temporary blocks, or, in extreme cases, the suspension or termination of your Netflix account.
Interestingly, no one has ever had their account suspended by Netflix for using a VPN with its service.
