How to watch New Zealand TV Shows abroad

Many streaming sites and TV channels geographically block their content due to licensing reasons. This can be frustrating for New Zealanders who want to keep up with their regular shows and content while traveling abroad. Fortunately, you can easily unblock geo-restricted content and watch New Zealand TV abroad by using a VPN and connecting to a server in New Zealand.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic, securing it from prying eyes and letting you browse the web anonymously. By rerouting your traffic through a server in another location, a VPN also hides your true IP address and makes it appear as if you’re browsing from somewhere else. So, if you choose a server in New Zealand, you will appear to be connecting from within the country and will regain access to your regular New Zealand TV channels and content from abroad.

This article will explain exactly how to watch NZ TV from anywhere with a VPN and list the best VPNs for the job. Don’t have time to read the full article? We’ll start with a quick summary of the providers we recommend. Keep reading for more in-depth reviews.

The best VPNs for watching New Zealand TV abroad:

1. NordVPN The best VPN for watching New Zealand TV. Over 6,000 servers globally. Works with TVNZ and Three. No-logs VPN with double VPN servers. Connect up to 10 devices at once. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for New Zealand TV.
2. Surfshark: The best budget VPN. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Use it to watch TVNZ1 and TVNZ 2 abroad (outside of New Zealand). Very strong security and 24/7 live chat support.
3. IPVanish: Use on unlimited devices simultaneously. Good speeds for Prime and Māori Television. Uses encryption and offers a zero-logs policy. 24/7 support included.
4. ExpressVPN: Fast speeds for lag-free streaming. Unblocks TVNZ 1 and TVNZ 2. Offers strong security with encryption and 24/7 live chat support.
5. CyberGhost: 10,000+ servers in 100+ countries. High-speed servers and unlimited bandwidth for streaming Three and Bravo. Security includes a strict no-logs policy.
6. PrivateVPN: Very fast servers and unblocks TVNZ 1 and Three. Easy-to-use apps as well as live chat support. Secure up to 10 devices simultaneously per account.
7. Private Internet Access: A speedy, reliable VPN with strong security and easy-to-use apps. Works with plenty of streaming platforms, including many from New Zealand.

How to stream New Zealand TV abroad with a VPN

The idea of using a VPN to hide your real IP address might sound complicated, but honestly, the process is perfectly simple. Just follow the steps below, and you’ll be watching your favorite NZ TV shows from anywhere in minutes.

Here’s how you can watch New Zealand TV shows online from abroad:

1. First, you’ll need to sign up with a VPN that offers servers in New Zealand. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Next, download and install one of the VPN’s apps (or browser extensions), making sure it’s the correct version for your device.
3. Log in to the VPN app and connect to a server in New Zealand. In doing so, you’ll get the New Zealand IP address you need to watch New Zealand TV overseas.
4. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. This ensures that websites forget your previous IP address and location.
5. Navigate to your preferred New Zealand TV platform or streaming service. Content should now be unblocked and ready to watch!

See also: Best New Zealand VPN

How we chose the top VPNs for NZ TV

There are hundreds of VPN providers on the market, but they don’t all offer the same service. Finding the one that’s right for your needs can be tricky and time-consuming. So, to simplify the process for you, we narrowed the choices down by looking for providers that met the following criteria:

• Fast, reliable servers in New Zealand – the more, the better
• Consistently unblocks popular TV platforms and streaming services
• Secures your data through the use of encryption
• Doesn’t keep any logs by which you can be identified
• Knowledgeable live chat customer support
• User-friendly apps for desktop and mobile

This is just an overview, but you can read more about how we test and rank the VPNs we recommend in our methodology section below. 

Best VPNs for New Zealand TV: at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for New Zealand TV.

Best VPNs for New Zealand TV

At Comparitech, we only recommend VPNs that we’ve personally used and put through rigorous testing. The following reviews are based on our real-world experiences with these VPNs. Let’s take a closer look at the ones we liked.

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for watching New Zealand TV online from abroad:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN is our first choice for watching New Zealand TV. It has a network of more than 6,000 high-speed servers, with 20+ in New Zealand. Having so many servers available helps reduce load and makes it more likely you’ll get the fastest possible speeds. When it comes to unblocking New Zealand TV overseas, NordVPN works with TVNZ 1 and TVNZ 2. Unlimited bandwidth means you’re unlikely to encounter issues of lag and buffering even when streaming in 1080p HD.

Should you require assistance, NordVPN provides 24/7 support via live chat and email. You can also use this VPN to connect 10 devices at once. In terms of security, NordVPN operates a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy. Security features include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks. You even have the option of connecting to one of NordVPN’s double VPN servers, which provides an extra layer of security.

To use NordVPN, simply sign up and download one of the apps which are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. You can also download browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

BEST VPN FOR NEW ZEALAND TV:NordVPN is our #1 choice. It has plenty of servers in New Zealand for streaming TVNZ and Māori Television. Use up to 10 devices at once. 24/7 live chat support is available. Security includes encryption and a strict no-logs policy. There’s also a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review here, or check out our video review.

---

2. Surfshark

Surfshark lets you have an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. This is great if you have a lot of devices to secure or if you plan on sharing with family. Its network is made up of over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries. Surfshark’s New Zealand servers allow you to stream TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2, Prime, and more. Indeed, you’ll also be able to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, while unlimited bandwidth ensures you won’t have to put up with any performance issues.

With Surfshark, you can be sure of the highest level of security. For starters, there’s 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. All of this serves to keep your data from landing in the wrong hands. Indeed, Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy and simply doesn’t keep any data, such as connection or activity logs. Better still, it further strengthens your security by offering MultiHop (double VPN) servers and an ad-blocker.

Unblock TVNZ 1 by connecting to Surfshark’s apps, which are offered for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. If you want to use Surfshark with your router, you’ll need to set this up manually.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is ideal for sharing with family as it lets you secure as many devices as you want simultaneously. Works with TVNZ, Prime, Three, and more. No-logs VPN with lots of security features and 24/7 live chat support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review here, or watch our video review instead.

---

3. IPVanish

IPVanish unblocks plenty of online TV content from New Zealand, including Māori Television and Three. Its servers in Auckland, New Zealand, are just a small part of a network that covers dozens of countries around the world. This VPN provides fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, which means you can stream lag-free. What’s more, it allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is particularly generous considering the industry standard is around five.

It’s quick and easy to connect to an IPVanish server, though 24/7 support is available via live chat if needed. With this VPN, you don’t need to worry about your data being compromised by hackers or even the government. That’s because it’s secured with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. It’s also worth knowing that IPVanish has a strict zero-logs policy.

Connect to a server in New Zealand with IPVanish via the apps for desktop (Windows and Mac), mobile (Android and iOS), and Amazon Fire TV. Use with Linux and routers requires following manual setup instructions.

CONNECT ALL OF YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish lets you secure all of your devices and offers good, consistent speeds for watching New Zealand TV overseas. Works with Three and Māori Television, among others. Protects your privacy with its zero-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review here, or watch our video review.

---

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN has servers in 100+ countries — far more than most VPNs on the market. This includes some in New Zealand that are perfect for unblocking and watching TV abroad. You can expect fast speeds and consistent connections, making streaming a stress-free experience. What’s more, ExpressVPN offers strong unblocking abilities and works with TVNZ, Three, and Bravo. With a long-term subscription, you can secure up to eight devices simultaneously.

Connecting to an ExpressVPN server allows you to browse the web anonymously. Your data is kept secure through the use of 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also protection from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, as well as a kill switch feature. ExpressVPN doesn’t keep any logs by which you can be personally identified. This VPN also offers excellent customer support, available 24/7 via live chat and email, making it quick and easy to resolve any issues.

ExpressVPN offers apps for the following operating systems: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox, while you’ll also find custom firmware for routers.

GREAT ALL-ROUNDER:ExpressVPN is another solid choice. Fast and reliable for streaming TVNZ. Also unblocks Prime and Three. Security includes encryption and a kill switch. You can try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

---

5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a good choice for streaming thanks to its high-speed servers and unlimited bandwidth. It has over 10,000 servers in 100+ countries, New Zealand included. You can use this VPN to watch Bravo, Prime, and more. Indeed, it also works with Netflix US. If you have a lot of devices to secure, CyberGhost is worth considering because it lets you connect as many as seven devices simultaneously.

This VPN operates a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn’t collect data such as your IP address or browsing history. Overall, it offers excellent security with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. CyberGhost also offers independently operated “NoSpy” servers. Located in Romania, it’s outside the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes and 14 Eyes intelligence alliances. 24/7 support is also available.

Watch New Zealand TV abroad thanks to CyberGhost’s apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are available. This VPN is compatible with select routers, but manual configuration is required.

UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH:CyberGhost has roughly 10,000 servers in total. High-speed servers and unlimited bandwidth. Unblock New Zealand TV, such as TVNZ 2. No-logs service with very strong security. Connect up to seven devices at once. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

---

6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is worth considering if you’re looking for fast servers for streaming and torrenting. It has servers in 63 countries, including New Zealand. As such, it’s great for streaming New Zealand TV channels such as TVNZ 1 and Bravo. However, it also works with popular US streaming services, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. What’s more, PrivateVPN is easy to use thanks to the beginner-friendly apps that let you connect to a server in seconds.

If you use this service, you’ll be able to connect up to 10 devices at once. You’ll also have access to live chat support, which is available 22 hours a day. Thanks to PrivateVPN, no one can see your online activities or gain access to your data. That’s because it has a strict no-logs policy and uses 256-bit AES encryption. Aside from DNS leak protection, there’s also a kill switch that cuts your internet traffic should the VPN connection drop unexpectedly.

To watch New Zealand TV abroad, simply connect to PrivateVPN. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, and iOS. You can also use this VPN with supported routers, but this does need to be set up manually.

USER-FRIENDLY:PrivateVPN is fast yet user-friendly. Strong unblocking ability — works with TVNZ 1 and Prime. Easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile. Secure up to 10 devices at once. Operates a strict no-logs policy and offers 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

---

7. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access has a network spanning 90+ countries including New Zealand and delivers average speeds in excess of 150 Mbps. Further, we can confirm that it works flawlessly with platforms like TVNZ and Disney+, though you may have to try a couple of servers to find one that works. This is one of the only providers that allows users to connect as many devices as they like — not bad considering its low price point.

It’s clear that PIA values your privacy. For starters, you can pay anonymously and sign up without providing an email address. User activities are kept hidden using powerful encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, but it’s also possible to use a Shadowsocks proxy for even greater privacy. Private Internet Access was recently audited, proving that it doesn’t keep logs of your activities.

Private Internet Access has apps for Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS, plus it’s one of the few that doesn’t force Linux users to rely on the command line. This VPN also provides manual setup instructions so you can get it running on most routers.

QUICK AND SECURE:Private Internet Access has the speed and privacy tools needed to stream New Zealand safely from just about anywhere. Novice-friendly apps, 24/7 customer support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Read our full Private Internet Access review.

Finding the best VPNs for watching New Zealand TV abroad: Methodology

Watching New Zealand TV while traveling abroad requires fast server speeds as well as strong unblocking ability. Below, we outline our methodology for finding the VPNs best suited for streaming New Zealand TV overseas:

• Servers in New Zealand: If you want to watch New Zealand TV abroad, you need access to servers in New Zealand. All of the VPNs listed in this post offer such servers, as well as servers in dozens of other countries. That way, there’s always a server close to your physical location for better speeds.
• Speed: Speaking of speed, only the fastest VPNs let you stream New Zealand TV abroad without issue. We conduct speed tests to ensure you’ll be able to stream in high resolution without lag or buffering. It’s no coincidence that all of the best VPNs provide unlimited bandwidth.
• Unblocking: Most New Zealand TV platforms are region-locked, which means their content can only be watched from home. Not all VPNs are able to bypass such restrictions. We found VPNs with strong unblocking ability. This means plenty of New Zealand IP addresses so you can stream the likes of TVNZ.
• Security: If you’re traveling abroad, you may find yourself using public wifi, which comes with some security risks. Regardless, it’s important to have your data secured with encryption. This prevents it from being accessed by hackers, even if it were obtained. All of the best VPNs offer this protection and more.
• Privacy: Most VPNs claim to operate no-logs policies, but we don’t just take them at their word. Instead, we’ve analyzed some 140 VPN logging policies to find VPNs that don’t keep any identifying logs. Where possible, we even sought VPNs that accept anonymous payment (such as Bitcoin).
• Ease of use: This may be your first time using a VPN, in which case you’ll want user-friendly apps. We test each VPN’s apps for ourselves, looking for those that are quick and easy to navigate. It’s also important for a VPN to offer quality customer support via live chat should you encounter any issues.
• Value for money: There are many VPNs that lack much of the above yet charge more than the providers listed in this post. We ensure that the VPNs we recommend offer great value for money. And you can get an even better deal by using the VPN discount coupons contained within this post.

Want to know more? Check out our article detailing our scientific VPN testing methodology in full.

Streaming New Zealand TV abroad with a VPN: FAQs