How To Watch HBO In New Zealand With A VPN In 2022

  • Chris Mack by Chris Mack
  • Last updated: September 28, 2023
  • 0
HBO-In-NZ

Have you heard fantastic reviews about Games of Thrones, Sopranos, and The Wires and wondered how to watch HBO in New Zealand? If yes, read our quick guide below to understand the easy steps to use a VPN for this.

You must be aware that HBO is a geo-restricted streaming service. It is expected that HBO will launch in New Zealand by 2024. Till then, you can use a VPN to access this streaming service. The official HBO Max NZ release date is not announced yet.

A VPN will help you spoof your current location, making HBO assume that you are in a region where it is officially available. It does this by changing your IP address with the server’s IP to which you are connected on a VPN.

HBO offers three streaming services: HBO Go, HBO Now, and HBO Max. People often ask, ‘Is HBO Now available in New Zealand as the other two needs a cable TV subscription?’ no, it is not, but with a VPN, you can get it.

In our guide below, we have discussed the quick steps to use a VPN, is HBO Max in New Zealand, the best VPNs for HBO, pricing plans of HBO in NZ, popular shows on HBO, compatible devices, and a lot more that would answer most of your questions. So keep reading!

How to Watch HBO in New Zealand (Quick Overview)

Here are the quick steps to watch HBO in New Zealand:

  • Sign up for a reliable VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN.
  • Install the VPN app on your device and sign in.
  • Connect to the USA – New York server from the list of servers.
  • Go to the HBO website.
  • Sign in using your HBO account credentials. Happy Streaming!

Why You Need a VPN to Watch HBO in New Zealand?

You need a VPN to watch HBO in New Zealand because, due to content licensing policy, HBO is unavailable in Asian-pacific regions, including New Zealand.

When you try to watch HBO without a VPN in New Zealand, the platform will block your access, and you’ll get the following error message on your screen:

location-error-on-hbo

Location error on HBO.

A VPN will help you replace your New Zealand IP address with the USA one. In this way, it will trick the platform into assuming that you are located in the USA.

However, all VPNs are not capable of unblocking the strong restrictions on HBO. Some of them are super slow and dangerous to use.

We strongly suggest avoiding all the free or substandard VPNs and using only premium VPNs like ExpressVPN, which offers high-speed and reliable servers. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming on all platforms, such as Hulu outside USA.

How do I get HBO Max subscription in New Zealand?

To get an HBO Max subscription in New Zealand, follow these steps:

  • Connect to the USA server on ExpressVPN.
  • Navigate to the HBO Max website.
  • Choose sign up and enter all your details.

The steps are easy to follow, but for the payment details, you can either use a gift card or use the credit card of your American friend.

By using HBO gift card

You can get an HBO gift card from mygiftscardsupply.com. You can redeem it for your HBO Max subscription by entering the code you’ll receive in your email. The credentials can be used for HBO MAx, HBO Now, HBO Go, etc.

By using Credit Card of US friend or relative

As HBO Max will not accept NZ credit card details, you can ask your American friend to make your subscription payment through their credit card. In this way, you can easily get an HBO Max subscription in New Zealand.

HBO in New Zealand (Pricing and Plans)

You can watch limited content for free on the HBO website or app. However, you need to pay for HBO Max, on which you get access to all the premium content.

HBO Max offers two pricing plans: An ad-free plan and an ad-supported plan.

HBO-Max-price

HBO Max pricing plans.

The ad-supported plan is for US$9.99 or NZ$17.14 per month, and the ad-free plan is for US$14.99 or NZ$25.71 per month. If you purchase a yearly subscription, you save 40% of the monthly price.

Best VPNs to Watch HBO in New Zealand (Quick Overview)

We tested 20 plus VPNs available in the market to choose the best VPNs to watch HBO in New Zealand. Our selection criteria was based on server locations, speed, reliability, customer service, security, and price of the VPN services.

Below we have shared our analysis of the three top VPNs that are perfect for almost every streaming platform.

1. ExpressVPN (Recommended VPN to Watch HBO in New Zealand)

ExpressVPN is the recommended VPN to watch HBO in New Zealand for its fast and reliable servers that can also unblock other streaming services like Paramount Plus in New Zealand and BBC iplayer in Newzealand .It has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries including 20 plus server locations in USA. We recommend connecting to the New York server to watch HBO in New Zealand.

expressvpn-unblocked-hbo-in-new-zealand

ExpressVPN unblocked HBO in New Zealand without any hassle.

On conducting a speed test, it provided us with a download speed of 88.78 and an upload speed of 54.22 on a 100 Mbps connection.

ExpressVPN speed test.

ExpressVPN speed test.

You can use one ExpressVPN account on up to five devices simultaneously. The app of this VPN is compatible with Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and macOS. It also offers dedicated apps for browsers like Edge, Firefox, and Chromecast. For devices that do not have in-built VPN support, ExpressVPN offers a MediaStremer feature.

When connected to ExpressVPN, we enjoyed watching all the Anime on HBO Max. You can also unblock other streaming services like Funimation outside USA.

The security features of ExpressVPN include AES-256 bit data encryption, a threat manager that detects any tracker in the downloaded apps on your device, a zero-track policy, and protection against DNS/IP leaks.

The price of ExpressVPN is US$ 6.67 /mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. If you need any help, you can contact customer service via 24/7 live chat support. The cost of this VPN is slightly higher than other VPN services, but its services are excellent! It is a risk-free VPN, offering a money-back guarantee of 30 days.

Pros
  • Unblocks all popular streaming services
  • Blazing fast and reliable servers
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • MediaStreamer feature for PlayStation and Xbox
  • Compatible with all streaming devices

Cons
  • Slightly expensive

2. Surfshark (Budget Friendly VPN to Unblock HBO in New Zealand)

Surfshark is the budget-friendly VPN to unblock HBO in New Zealand. It is offered at the price of US$ 2.49 /mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee and allows you to connect unlimited devices simultaneously on one account. You can make the cost cheaper by sharing your Surfshark account details with friends and family members.

It offers 3200+ servers in 100+ countries including 600 plus USA servers. We recommend connecting to the Chicago server on Surfshark to watch HBO Max outside the USA, or HBO Max in Switzerland.

surfshark-unblocked-hbo-in-new-zealand

Surfshark seamlessly unblocked HBO in New Zealand.

It provided us with a download speed of 85.48 and an upload speed of 48.42 on a 100 Mbps connection.

surfshark-speed-test

Surfshark speed test.

This VPN offers dedicated applications for Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and macOS. When connected to Surfshark, you are all safe and secure online. It offers a free trial of 7 days on iOS and Android devices.

It offers military-grade security, including AES-256-bit data encryption, split tunneling, kills switch, Wireguard, OpenVPN, and a zero-log policy. The light way security protocol provides a more reliable connection than other traditional VPNs.

The customer support team of Surfshark is available 24/7 to resolve all your issues. If you do not like the service (which won’t be the case), you can claim a refund within 30 days. So, get its subscription and enjoy HBO Max NZ Dune.

Pros
  • Cheap pricing plans
  • Unblocks almost all streaming services
  • Unlimited simultaneous connection
  • Easy-to-use apps
  • Free trial on iOS and Android devices
  • Apps for all major devices and OS

Cons
  • Server connection takes time (sometimes)

3. NordVPN (Largest Server Network to Unblock HBO in New Zealand)

NordVPN is the largest server network to unblock HBO in New Zealand. It has 6000+ ultra-fast servers in 105 countries including 1970 plus servers in USA. We recommend connecting to the Atlanta server to watch HBO in New Zealand.

nordvpn-unblocked-hbo-in-newzealand

NordVPN unblocked HBO in New Zealand.

On conducting a speed test, we got a download speed of 88.18 and an upload speed of 80.13 on a 100 Mbps connection.

nordvpn-speed-test

NordVPN speed test.

You can connect up to six devices on one NordVPN account. It is compatible with Linux, Windows, Android, iOS, Chromecast, and mac.

The robust security features of NordVPN include a strict no-log policy, kill switch, and AES 256-bit data encryption. All the servers are highly-optimized for speed and security.

When connected to NordVPN, you can enjoy all USA streaming services in New Zealand without any buffer. We enjoyed watching shows and movies on Funimation outside USA.

The price of NordVPN is US$ 2.49 /mo - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee. It offers 24/7 live customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros
  • Unblocks all major streaming platforms
  • Large number of servers
  • Apps for all streaming devices
  • 6 simultaneous connection
  • Robust security features

Cons
  • Slow desktop app

What features does HBO Max offer?

HBO Max includes all the features of HBO plus a lot more content from the various brands of WarnerMedia. If you already have an HBO subscription, then you can watch the content on HBO Max without any additional charges.

You can get a free trial of HBO Max for seven days, download videos to watch offline, and use the multiple profiles view option. HBO Max also offers parental control option so that you can monitor your child’s streaming activities.

If you are wondering where to watch the Fallout NZ, you can watch it on HBO Max. You can also get HBO Max free trial on Hulu+ Live TV or other streaming services.

Alternative methods to stream HBO in New Zealand

Alternatively, you can use a Sky Network subscription to stream HBO in New Zealand. Sky has the rights to stream HBO content in Kiwi territory. This streaming service offers four subscription plans: Sky Starter, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky Entertainment.

The Sky Starter price is NZ$37.39 per month, Sky Starter+ Entertainment is NZ$74.04 per month, Sky Starter+ Sports is 83.41 per month, and Sky Starter+ Movies is NZ$67.17 per month.

On the Sky Starter package, you can access 40 plus channels, including Prime, Bravo, etc.  The Sports package gives you access to Rugby and ESPN events, while on the Entertainment package, as an add-on to the starter package, you get 55 plus channels like BBC, UKTV, History, and many more.

Popular content to stream on HBO in New Zealand

Wondering what to stream on HBO in New Zealand? Here is the popular content on HBO:

  • House of Dragon
  • Los Espookys
  • Hard Knocks in Season
  • The Rehearsal
  • Game of Thrones
  • Mind over Murder
  • Edge of the Earth
  • My Brilliant Friend
  • Eastbound & Down

Compatible devices with HBO

The following devices are compatible with HBO:

Below we have discussed the steps on how to watch HBO Max in NZ.

How do I get HBO on Windows?

Here we have shared the quick steps to convert the HBO site to a Windows 10 app.

  • On the Microsoft Edge Chromium browser, navigate to play.hbomax.com.
  • Create your HBO  account. If you already have an account, sign in.
  • Go to the Microsoft Edge browser menu and install the HBO site as an application.
  • Pin the app shortcut to the Windows taskbar.

How to get HBO on Amazon Firestick?

Follow these simple steps on how to watch HBO on Firestick in NZ:

  • Switch on your Amazon Firestick device.
  • On the homepage, choose the Find option and then choose Search.
  • Type HBO. It will appear in the search results. Select it.
  • From the Apps & Games option, select HBO.
  • An app information page will open. Choose Get to download HBO app.
  • Once the app is installed, you can find it in the App Library.
  • Open the HBO app and log in to your account. If you don’t have an account, sign up.

How do I get HBO on my Android?

To get HBO Go NZ on your Android device, here are the easy steps:

  • Go to the Play Store on your Android device.
  • In the search menu, type and enter HBO.
  • Choose the HBO app and install it.
  • Once the app is installed, sign in using your credentials.

How do I get HBO on iOS?

Follow the steps mentioned below on how to watch HBO Max in New Zealand:

  • Navigate to the App Store on your iOS device.
  • Find HBO in the search menu.
  • Install the HBO app on your device.
  • Sign in using your account credentials. Enjoy!

FAQs

HBO Max is available in Europe, North America, Latin America and Caribbean countries. HBO Max has announced that it will expand to other countries soon.

Yes, HBO now streams in 4k with HDR colors (Dolby Vision and HDR 10) and Dolby Atmos Surround Sound.

To watch HBO Max in 4k UHD, you must have:

  • 4k HRD Television that displays HDR10 or Dolby Vision
  • A streaming device that supports 4k HDR
  • Fast internet connection(at least 25 Mbps)
  • Dolby Atmos-capable sound system
  • Updated HBO Max app

You can use the free version of HBO on the website or app. However, the free version provides you access to limited content only. Alternatively, you can sign up for a free trial of HBO on Hulu.

No, HBO is not free with Amazon Prime. Along with your regular prime subscription, you need to pay US$28 or NZ$48.06 per month or $119 or NZ$201.76 per year to get HBO.

Yes, HBO is compatible with Chromecast. You can cast the shows and movies on HBO from your phone, tablet, or laptop to your TV.

Wrapping Up

We hope our quick guide helped you understand how to watch HBO in New Zealand with a VPN in 2022. HBO is a fantastic streaming platform for watching all the popular shows and movies.

You can upgrade to HBO Max anytime using your HBO account. When you sign up for HBO Max, you get access to a lot more premium content. Now, you don’t need to think, ‘Is HBO Max available in New Zealand?’ as you have a VPN as a quick solution.

Remember to use only premium VPNs like ExpressVPN to unblock HBO. We strongly suggest avoiding free VPNs are they are very slow and risky, and they can’t bypass the geo-restrictions easily. When you use them, HBO immediately identifies and blocks them.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask us in the comments section. We’d be glad to sort out all your queries.

Chris Mack

Chris Mack

Meet Chris Mack, your go-to expert for the best of BBC iPlayer with a twist—he's also a cybersecurity enthusiast. Whether you're into British entertainment classics or searching for hidden gems, Chris has you covered, always with an eye for secure streaming practices. Beyond the screen, Chris blends his love for reading and exploring the outdoors with a passion for staying ahead in the world of cybersecurity, ensuring a safe viewing experience. If you're looking for top British TV picks or tips on keeping your digital viewing secure, Chris is your guide. Dive into the drama of British TV with Chris!


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