How to Watch NZ TV Channels in USA [Updated May 2024]

March 6, 2024 By Ethan Tyson Leave a Comment

How to Watch New Zealand TV in usa

New Zealand boasts an impressive lineup of channels, including TVNZ 1, 2, and Sky NZ. But here’s the catch: as soon as you jet off to the US or any other country abroad – poof! Your favorite flicks are gone with the wind due to pesky geo-restrictions.

So if you’re a Kiwi traveler or expat in the US looking for some good ol’ entertainment options from home, there may be one obstacle standing between you and your nostalgia.

For example, if you try to access Sky NZ in the US, you’ll see this error on your screen:

“Whoops! Seems like you’re trying to watch from outside of New Zealand. Our videos are only available to watch within New Zealand due to rights issues.”

Despite the miles that separate you from New Zealand, it’s possible to reconnect with your favorite TV shows while abroad. With a VPN, you can effortlessly unblock geographically restricted content wherever you are. So, if you’re in the US, you can unblock New Zealand in USA with a VPN easily.

But which VPN should you get?

Well, I recommend getting ExpressVPN. It costs only $6.67/month (49% off) – 1 year + 3months free) and offers 3000+ servers in 90+ countries. It can also easily unblock geo-blocked services like Netflix US and Hulu.

I tested it extensively and found it offers speeds of up to 85.64 Mbps (100 Mbps standard connection). Oh, it also supports 5 simultaneous connections and offers a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

5 Quick Steps to Watch New Zealand TV in USA

Here’s how you can watch New Zealand TV channels in USA in just 5 easy steps:

ExpressVPN-New-Zealand-Server

Purchase a VPN provider (We recommend ExpressVPN).
Download and install the Surfshark app on your device.
Launch the app, then log in using your credentials.
Connect to a server in New Zealand.
Access any New Zealand channel from the USA and enjoy!

Unblock NZ TV in USA with ExpressVPN

Why VPN Is Needed to Unblock New Zealand TV Channels in USA?

New Zealand TV channels and streaming platforms, like TVNZ, Acorn, and ThreeNow, are blocked in the USA due to content licensing restrictions.

If you attempt to watch New Zealand TV channels in the US, you will encounter geo-restriction errors. For example, if you access TVNZ in the US, you’ll see this error message:

tvnz geo-blocked error

This is where the need for a VPN comes in. A reliable VPN allows you to bypass geo-restrictions and access content virtually anywhere! Access streaming services or websites that are restricted in your area by replacing your local IP address with one from New Zealand.

So whether it’s streaming Netflix libraries from different countries or just accessing content without censorship constraints, VPNs have got you covered with their unlimited bandwidth capabilities.

For unblocking New Zealand TV, I recommend you get ExpressVPN for just $6.67/month (49% off) – 1 year + 3months free).

Quick Overview of the Best VPNs to Watch New Zealand TV Channels in USA

Best Overall VPN

^$ 6.67

80+ Mbps /100 Mbps
3000+ servers (90+ countries)
5.0/5.0 stars
8 multi-logins
49% Discount
3 Months Free

Get ExpressVPN

Most Affordable VPN

^$ 2.29

75+ Mbps /100 Mbps
3200+ servers (100+ countries)
4.8/5.0 stars
Unlimited multi-logins
85% Discount
2 Months Free

Get Surfshark

Massive VPN Servers

^$ 3.09

70+ Mbps /100 Mbps
5,600+ servers (59+ countries)
4.0/5.0 stars
6 multi-logins
58% Discount
3 Months Free

Get NordVPN

3 Best VPNs to Watch New Zealand TV Channels in USA

1. ExpressVPN: Fastest VPN to Watch New Zealand TV Channels in USA

ExpressVPN-howtowatchchannel

Next up is ExpressVPN – one of the fastest options in the industry for streaming New Zealand TV in the USA. Although it is quicker than Surfshark, it is also slightly more expensive.

While the price may be higher, you will get what you pay for a super-fast connection that will allow you to watch your preferred NZ TV programs with quicker loading times and no buffering.

ExpressVPN offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries. Among these, various servers are present in New Zealand. After connecting to one of ExpressVPN’s NZ servers, I could unblock the NZ library of Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+. I was also able to unblock the mighty TVNZ 1 with ease.

Once unlocked, I could stream all my favorite NZ TV series in HD. I further tested its speeds and got 86.54 Mbps of download speeds on a 100 Mbps connection.

How insane is that!

Additionally, it’s compatible with all major devices, including iOS, Windows, Android, FireStick, Roku, and gaming consoles. It also offers 5 simultaneous connections, so you can use it on multiple devices simultaneously.

In terms of pricing, ExpressVPN’s 1 year package costs $6.67/mo (49% discount). Its subscription plans all include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock NZ TV in USA with ExpressVPN

2. Surfshark: Affordable VPN to Watch New Zealand TV Channels in USA

Surfshark-howtowatchchannel

Surfshark is my top recommendation to unblock New Zealand TV in the USA. Not only is this VPN reasonably priced, but it also offers reliable servers to unblock NZ channels like TVNZ, ThreeNow, Acorn, and Netflix NZ in the blink of an eye.

Speaking of servers, Surfshark offers 3200+ servers across 100 countries, out of which plenty of servers are present in 1 NZ location. I could stream popular NZ TV series like “The Brokenwood Mysteries” using this server without issues.

No matter what show I watched, it all streamed smoothly in HD. I put my 100 Mbps connection to the test to see how fast Surfshark was, and I was ecstatic with the results: a scorching-fast 83.84 Mbps downloading speed!

Not only is Surfshark fast, but also budget-friendly. I mean, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. I could connect the VPN to as many devices as I like with just one account. Not only that, it’s compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Roku, Kodi, FireStick, and more.

As for pricing, you can get it for just $2.29/mo (85% discount – 2 years + 2 months free). With an unbeatable price, users can also enjoy a free month of the service! Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock NZ TV in USA with Surfshark

3. NordVPN: Reliable VPN to Watch NZ TV Channels in USA With a Massive Server Network

NordVPN-howtowatchchannel

The last option on my list is NordVPN – a well-rounded VPN with a massive network of servers. This VPN offers fast speeds and great device compatibility, along with the ability to unblock NZ channels easily.

NordVPN offers 5600+ servers in 59 countries. Among these, 20+ servers are present in Auckland, New Zealand.

I connected to one of its NZ servers and unblocked ThreeNow to stream my favorite TV show. My streaming experience was great, and I could enjoy all the content in HD.

This brought me to test NordVPN for speeds. On my 100 Mbps connection, I got a speed of 84.15 Mbps.

After that, I tested its apps to see how user-friendly they were. After quite a bit of testing, I can definitely say its apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV are intuitive.

Also, just like Surfshark and ExpressVPN, NordVPN supports multi logins. With 6 simultaneous connections offered and apps available for all major systems and devices, you can trust NordVPN to help you unblock any geo-blocked channel or streaming service of your choice.

Finally, as for pricing, NordVPN costs just $3.09/month (58% off) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock NZ TV in USA with NordVPN

Methodology: How We Select the Top VPNs for Unblocking New Zealand TV Channels in USA?

With numerous VPNs marketing themselves as the best, selecting the best option can be tricky. Some prioritize speed or top-notch security, while others provide expansive networks to access global streaming services with ease — each offering its own distinct set of features and benefits.

To find the best VPNs for unblocking New Zealand channels and streaming platforms like TVNZ, ThreeNow, Acorn, and more, I looked for providers that met the following criteria:

I verified that all the VPNs I mentioned offer servers in New Zealand for you to access NZ TV in the USA.
To determine which VPNs are most reliable, I tested each to ensure they work with all popular NZ streaming services.
I tested the speeds of each VPN and only listed the ones that dropped my speed by no more than 20%.
I ensured that the top VPNs were compatible with multiple devices.
I also made sure that the VPN I recommend to you all offers 24/7 live chat support.

ExpressVPN came on top – costing only $6.67/mo (49% discount).

Which New Zealand TV Channels Can You Stream Online for Free?

You can access the following channels to watch New Zealand TV in the US for free:

TVNZ
TVNZ 1
TVNZ 2
ThreeNow
Bravo
Prime
Māori Television

While the above-mentioned channels offer free content, you need to use a VPN to unblock these channels in the USA. For that, I recommend using ExpressVPN.

Worth Watching Content on New Zealand TV Channels to Watch in USA

Following is a list of all the popular shows and movies that you can get on NZ TV:

800 Words (TVNZ 1) — (IMDB: 7.9)
The Bad Seed (TVNZ 1) — (IMDB: 5.9)
The Brokenwood Mysteries (Prime) — (IMDB: 7.9)
Police Ten 7 (TVNZ 2) — (IMDB: 7.1)
Shortland Street (TVNZ 2) — (IMDB: 4.6)
Country Calendar (TVNZ 1) — (IMDB: 8.2)
Westside (Three) — (IMDB: 8.0)

FAQs - New Zealand TV Channels in USA

How can I watch NZ TV channels from abroad?

To watch NZ TV abroad, you only need a VPN that offers NZ servers. Out of all premium VPNs, I highly recommend ExpressVPN due to its fast speeds and unblocking abilities.

Can I use a free VPN to watch New Zealand TV channels?

Honestly, that’s debatable. You can use a free VPN to watch New Zealand TV, but you’ll soon discover that most free VPNs do not offer servers in New Zealand. This will stop you from accessing NZ streaming services in the USA.

Even if they do, you’ll face server overload and constant buffering that will ruin your overall streaming experience. This is why I only recommend using ExpressVPN to unblock NZ television in the USA.

Other Channels That You Can Unblock in USA

Conclusion

If you’re an NZ TV fan, don’t let yourself be frustrated by geo-restrictions that keep you from enjoying your favorite content. Get past the barriers with a secure VPN and jump into hours of entertaining viewing!

There are a few reliable choices available, but ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for watching New Zealand TV channels USA. It is secure, has a vast network of servers, and boasts fast connection speeds for high-quality streaming. Moreover, it costs only $6.67/mo (49% discount).

Ethan Tyson

Ethan Tyson is a movie critic and an avid streamer. There's hardly any time when he's not writing something or keenly deconstructing the plot of hit movies or TV shows. Ethan writes useful guides on HowToWatchChannels.com to help readers access channels from around the world anywhere, anytime.