New Zealand is a good and lovely country with a lot to attract you into the nation.
There is a very rich blend of diverse cultures, not forgetting their geologically fascinating landscapes. However, sight-seeing isn’t the only thing you can do in New Zealand.
Sometimes you just want to kick back and relax on your couch or bed. What better thing to do when relaxing than to watch your favourite shows.
And this is where HBO (Home Box Office) comes in with its endless list of entertaining TV shows and movies.
Unfortunately, tuning in to HBO in New Zealand requires some important steps.
This is because HBO uses geo-location technology to block users from outside the US.
However, after reading this article, you’ll learn how to watch hbo in nz.
But first things first.
What is HBO?
Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television network that restricts its content to its home country, the US.
This is because of the geo-blocking technology they use to prevent access for people outside the USA. However, this should not worry you.
HBO is owned by WarnerMedia Entertainment and the flagship property of parent-subsidiary, Home Box Office, Inc.
The programming featured on this network primarily consists of theatrically released motion pictures, original television programs along with made-for-cable movies, documentaries, a selection of comedies, and concert specials. HBO operates at 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan’s West Side district and is the first, oldest, and longest continuously operating subscription television service.
I know a lot of that isn’t quite necessary, but some information about the company won’t hurt. Now to the main topic; by-passing HBO’s geo-blocks and accessing it from New Zealand.
The following information explains what you need to access HBO and how to access HBO from wherever you are.
How to Watch HBO in New Zealand
As earlier mentioned, HBO is exclusively available to US residents.
However, there are numerous legal methods that you can Watch HBO in new zealand.
Without beating around the bush, the only way to access HBO from anywhere outside the US is by using a VPN.
- Go to ExpressVPN and choose the plan that you are satisied with and create your account.
- From a server’s list that you’ll be provided with, select the US server.
- Once you are connected to the US server, open HBO on your browser and watch your favourite TV shows.
Why a VPN?
You already know that HBO uses geo-blocking technology to restrict people residing outside the US from accessing their content.
However, with a good VPN, you can by-pass these geo-blocks and easily access HBO in New Zealand.
But other than obliterating geo-blocking, a VPN has many more benefits.
So, here is why you need a VPN for HBO NZ.
Bypassing Geo-blocks
Content providers such HBO use geo-blocks/geo-restrictions to control which areas can access their content due to copyright regulations, licensing regulations, and other legal procedures.
For example, HBO restricts its content to be accessed by people in the US only.
Since a VPN will hide your real IP address, you can easily bypass the geo-restriction by simply choosing a US IP address and appearing to be from the “right” geographical location.
Security
We all love Free WI-FI, right? However, Free WIFI networks are often unsecured, which puts your personal data in grave danger whenever you connect.
A VPN provides an impenetrable encryption which secures your online activities and prevents internet culprits from accessing your credit card details, bank account details, and other important information.
Anonymity
Did you know that everytime you use the internet you leave a digital footprint that can be easily traced? Think about that as you torrent or stream illegal content.
The good news is, a VPN connection will mask your IP address and encrypt all your online activity.
This means that your digital footprints cannot be traced even when you are streaming your favourite shows from HBO and other channels.
Furthermore, online hackers will not be able to use your real IP address to find personal details about you.
Please note that we, in no way, advocate for streaming or torrenting illegal or copyright content.
Preventing Bandwidth Throttling
Bandwidth throttling is when your ISP (Internet Service Provider) restricts your bandwidth and therefore reduces your online speeds.
Most ISPs do this regularly to get rid of network congestion, but other ISPs throttle their bandwidth to “convince” you to purchase more expensive subscriptions and data plans.
A VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic such that your ISP will not be able to see what you are doing online whether you are streaming your favourite TV shows from HBO and other top channels or torrenting or playing fortnite.
Now that we have gone through the advantages of using a VPN, here are the best VPN options for accessing HBO in NZ.
Best VPNs to Watch HBO in New Zealand in 2024
1. ExpressVPN: Best VPN to Watch HBO in NZ
ExpressVPN is undoubtedly the best VPN provider in the world. It is based in the British Virgin Islands which is a very big advantage on its own.
It has a wide network of over 3,000 servers, in 160 cities and in 94 countries across the world.
This vast network of servers spread out across the world makes ExpressVPN to have the fastest loading speeds compared to other VPN providers.
I suppose those facts make it the best VPN provider in the world.
In terms of coverage, Europe and the US are at the top of the chain.
However, the provider also has good locations in the Asia Pacific countries.
ExpressVPN has the most advanced features of any VPN provider.
Some of these features include Own DNS Servers, top-notch military grade encryption, split testing, automatic kill switch, Perfect Forward Secrecy, Multiple Protocols, Strict no-logging policy backed by third-party audits and Trusted Server Technology.
ExpressVPN has a wide range of websites to stream from such as HBO nz obviously, Channel 4 NZ, YouTube, Hulu NZ, Kodi, American Netflix in NZ, BBC iPlayer NZ, Amazon Prime NZ, Showtime, DAZN, fuboTV, Sky Go, Vudu, Zatto, Crackel, Hotsta NZ, ESPN, ITV Live, Dark web NZ and many others.
You can also unlock the messaging apps and social media platforms.
2. NordVPN :- Easiest VPN to Use in NZ
If you have been in the VPN business a while, you must have come across NordVPN.
This massive VPN provider is one of the most powerful and feature-rich options in the market.
For starters, NordVPN boasts over 5400 servers in 59 locations.
Clearly, you have a world of choices when it comes to servers.
This also means that you can surf the internet borderless and access any content from anywhere in the world geo-restrictions or no geo-restrictions.
Secondly, NordVPN presents robust security features,most of which are proprietary.
Look out for Onion Encryption, CyberSec, Double Encryption, DNS Leak protection, and bye-bye buffering.
If all you want is to binge watch your favourite shows on HBO NZ, with NordVPN you will never even notice that you are streaming.
The flow of play is so uninterrupted thanks to the optimal speeds and strategically placed servers.
Third and final, NordVPN welcomes P2P traffic, streaming, torrenting, and multi-platform support.
You can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously and never experience latency.
3. SurfShark: Best VPN for those on a budget
SurfShark is probably one of the most popular VPNs in New Zealand. Despite being new to the industry, it has quickly proved to be an excellent all-round performer, at a reasonable cost of $1.99/month.
SurfShark is equipped with 1,700+ servers in more than 60 countries, one of them being in New Zealand.
They also feature a strict no-logging policy and a military-grade AES-256-GCM encryption.
Based on their security, SurfShark offers features such as MultiHop, CleanWeb and Camouflage Mode.
These features will help you to keep your online activities hidden from government surveillance.
One of the best things about SurfShark is its support for unlimited simultaneous connections.
It can unblock all the best channels like TV Player, ITV, Channel 5, BBC iPlayer, and not forgetting, HBO nz.
Allow me to mention again that SurfShark is very cheap, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access does not have a lot of confusing layouts and long sign up processes that slows you down.
They really focus on making everything flow seamlessly and speedily.
With Private Internet Access, you can enjoy the services they offer very quickly and easily with their powerful IP masking and advanced security features on your device.
Private Internet Access boasts a great track record of more than 3,000 servers across 29 countries in countries like the USA, UK, Australia and so many others.
Plus, Private Internet Access is relatively cheap.
Most reviews agree that Private Internet Access takes the privacy of its users seriously.
We concur especially because of their strong IP masking technology and an impressive encryption tech, firewall, and identity protection features.
With Private Internet Access, you’ll not have to worry about speed and general performance.
You can connect up to ten devices simultaneously.
Private Internet Access will allow you to access HBO nz, Netflix and many other channels and networks.
5. CyberGhost: Most Trustworthy VPN for NZ
CyberGhost has very user-friendly apps for all major platforms which makes it the friendliest VPN to use.
All you need to do is to click the connect button and all the heavy-duty work will be done for you; from choosing the best server to encrypting your server.
CyberGhost offers its services with the aid of 6,400 servers in 90 countries.
It also prides itself on defending people’s privacy as a basic human right.
CyberGhost operates with a team of 70 professionals based in Romania and Germany.
The VPN provider has quite a number of security features up its sleeve.
They include: over 6,200 VPN servers worldwide, DNS and IP leak protection, Automatic kill switch, openVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard protocols, unlimited bandwidth and traffic.
Plus, you can connect up to seven devices simultaneously.
CyberGhost also allows you to configure the app to the settings of your choice.
With CyberGhost, you can easily access HBO nz as well as Netflix and other websites.
PureVPN is among the best VPN options to go for.
It is based in Hong Kong which is a huge advantage since it is away from the prying 14-Eyes Alliance.
And here is another advantage. Considering that New Zealand is close to Hong Kong, you will receive quicker speeds which will in turn enable you to stream your favorite shows from HBO faster.
PureVPN is equipped with 2,000+ servers in over 140 countries all over the world. More than 10 of these servers are found in New Zealand.
So, you can unblock HBO in new zealand, Netflix, Hulu Plus and other video-on-demand services.
PureVPN is easy to use across all sorts of devices; from Windows, Mac, Android and IOS.
Let me not forget to include their military-grade AES-256-CBC encryption that is so secure that it would take a supercomputer more than a billion years to decrypt it. It’s that awesome!
PureVPN only costs $2.91/month which is covered by a 31-day refund policy.
You should also keep in mind that with one PureVPN subscription, you can cover up to 10 devices simultaneously.
PrivateVPN has often been dubbed the fastest growing VPN in the world. And we can see why.
Currently, PrivateVPN has over 100 servers in 60 locations. Despite the small network, PrivateVPN has robust security features that guarantee your safety as well as flawless streaming for our HBO nz enthusiasts.
You can expect military-grade encryption, maximum speeds for streaming and torrenting, anonymity, clients for all the major devices, and 1-click installation.
In addition, PrivateVPN is extremely pocket-friendly and easy to use thanks to the relatable user interface.
Ultimately, PrivateVPN is an excellent choice for HBO streaming in New Zealand. All the geo-restrictions do not stand a chance.
Wondering What to Watch on HBO?
The truth is, HBO has a very wide variety of shows and movies to choose from which, in my opinion, are all good.
This variety ensures that you’ll never get bored as long as you’re tuned into HBO.
However satisfying that might seem to be, it actually poses quite a huge challenge.
When you have a lot on your plate to choose from, it becomes a chore to pick what you do and what you do not like.
Not to worry, before you head into the maze that is HBO programming, I will equip you with a list that can’t miss.
I’ve compiled an incredible list that will show you a sample of the best content that you can get from HBO.
Avenue 5, His Dark Materials, The Outsider, A Monster Calls, Downtown Abbey, Silicon Valley, Veep, I Know This Much Is True, Watchmen, Blinded By The Light, Nocturnal Animals
Frequently Asked QuestionsIs HBO available in NZ?
1. Is HBO available in NZ?
HBO is now a very big channel with a lot of demand from the international market. New Zealand just happens to be among the countries in the world that have had a high demand for HBO.
Even though HBO is only available to US residents, watching HBO from New Zealand is very accomplishable.
You can even watch HBO on Sky since the popular TV network obtained exclusive streaming and television rights that allow it to broadcast HBO’s content.
Sky channel is the only channel in New Zealand to have done that.
If you want to watch HBO from New Zealand using Sky Channel, you’ll have to subscribe to the Sky Starter package by paying $25.99 per month.
The other alternative(one that we strongly advocate for) is to use a VPN to access HBO. A VPN hides your IP address and therefore the HBO servers cannot know you’re not from the US.
Purchase a VPN to by-pass the geo-blocks set up by HBO and you’ll be able to access their content.
2. How can I get information on the music used for HBO programmes and promos?
Usually, when music is featured in programs, the song is credited in the closing credits. However, some producers may choose to withhold the information.
This is because they anticipate the release of a compilation soundtrack (like the one that was done with the first season of The Sopranos).
When it’s possible, the episode information for a program will include the music credits, track information and corresponding details of where to download the music from.
3. How can I submit an idea for a movie or a show to HBO?
HBO does not accept submissions directly.
All of their submissions usually come through an agent. They suggest that all scripts, screenplays, treatments, dramatizations, anecdotes, novellas and others can be sent to the literary agency of your choice.
4. Does HBO stream in 4K?
HBO is a quality channel that enables you to stream their content at a high quality. At the moment, HBO allows you to stream in HD quality but does not yet support streaming in 4k.
5. Is it true that HBO GO is going away?
HBO claims that the HBO GO app will be removed from primary platforms in the U.S. by the 31st of July in 2020.
However, if your provider does not carry HBO Max, you can access HBO GO via HBOGO.com through August 31, 2020.
6. The last few minutes are getting cut off when I record HBO shows. What are the tips for recording your shows?
Sometimes on HBO, the timings of the shows are not accurate.
Because of this, it is a possibility that some HBO programs may run longer than their designated times. Well, in such a situation, you’ll have to pull a few tricks from your sleeve.
To make sure that your recordings do not cut off the end of a show, we recommend setting your recorder to turn off a few minutes after the show is scheduled to end. (For instance, if Game of Thrones is scheduled to end at 9:30 PM, program your recorder to turn off at 9:35 PM).
However, you can never be too sure. It is important to consult the manual for your DVR or another recording device for information about allowing additional time for scheduled recording.
NB: Because of the unpredictable nature of live events, the actual start and stop time of live programming can vary significantly from the scheduled times.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking forward to watching a few of your favourite shows and movies, geo-restrictions should never be the reason you can’t.
Any good VPN, most preferably ExpressVPN, will allow you to enjoy your favourite shows from your favourite channel, HBO.
Plus, our list of the top shows should give you a pretty good idea where to start.
We are dying to find out what you think of our list.
Are there other favourite VPN providers we did not feature?
Which is your favourite and what has been your experience?
Let us know in the comment section below.