How to Get US Netflix in New Zealand

In this article, we will show you How to Get US Netflix in NZ with step by step instructions. 

A vast majority of Kiwi home streaming enthusiasts share one thing in common– a love for Netflix’s expansive catalog of original content, as well as it’s 4K HDR streaming capabilities.

However, many of you have probably realized at this point that Netflix’s streaming library in the United States is much bigger compared to what they offer for the rest of the world.

Many American Netflix originals, movies, and TV shows from major television networks are missing from the NZ version of Netflix, which is a bummer.

If you are searching for a way to get access to American Netflix in New Zealand, please continue reading this guide.

We have much more to tell you about the reasons behind the unavailability of particular American Netflix content in NZ. Then we will walk you through step-by-step instructions for getting access to American Netflix in NZ.

Reasons Behind the Unavailability of American Netflix in NZ

Netflix is a few of the only on-demand streaming services that you can access pretty much anywhere in the world. It also invests millions of dollars for the production of original series and movies in every country, so that more regional viewers opt to pay for a Netflix subscription.

Alongside producing original content, Netflix also pays content licensing fees for off-network shows and movies from famous film studios, giving the subscribers an unlimited library of on-demand content.

Since Netflix started its service in the United States first, most of its partner providers are from the same country, making it easier and cheaper for Netflix to acquire streaming rights of movies and TV shows. It’s one of the reasons why Netflix provides such a sizeable streaming library in the US.

However, when it comes to content licensing in other countries, it gets more expensive for Netflix to offer the same American content in New Zealand or other countries.

It’s also possible that another streaming service has previously acquired exclusive streaming rights for the same content in your country, making it impossible for Netflix to air the content on its platform without the prior consent of both parties– the content distributor and the service with its existing streaming rights.

Besides, the viewer demographic is a critical factor. It’s possible that a particular Netflix show isn’t generating enough views in a specific country, which leads to a loss of the company’s investments. In such cases, Netflix is forced to remove it. The same can be considered for other streaming services as well.

Following the agreements between Netflix and the content distributor, the streaming giant has enforced geo-restrictions on its platform to restrict foreign Netflix viewers from accessing the American Netflix library.

Since Netflix has set different regional domains for its serviceable areas, which makes it more challenging to access US Netflix in New Zealand.

If the restrictions weren’t put in place, Netflix would have lost its partnership with major networks, as it breaks the prime guidelines of streaming rights and licensing agreements.

How to Get American Netflix in NZ

Get US Netflix in New Zealand

Is it possible to get US Netflix in NZ? The short answer is– yes. It’s possible for Kiwi Netflix users to get access to the American Netflix library, but the process is a bit intricate.

You see, Netflix does use the same method as other geo-restricted streaming services and websites, identifying your current location by the IP address. For those who don’t know, your internet service provider designates a unique identifier to your internet connection, which stores bits of useful data, including a base concept of your geolocation.

When you visit netflix.com, you are redirected to netflix.com/nz instead, as it detects your real location by your IP address.

You can change this behavior by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service, which lets you mask your IP address in one-click.

When you establish a remote connection to a VPN server, your network traffic is relocated through it instead of your ISP’s public DNS server. If simply put, the websites that you visit will see the server’s IP address rather than yours, while you are connected to VPN.

As a result, your location is also changed to the server’s location during the session.

Similarly, you can connect to a VPN server in the United States and get access to the US Netflix library. The best thing is that you won’t have to pay for a separate Netflix subscription, as a Netflix account can be used through all its serviceable areas, except in a handful of regions.

Get US Netflix in New Zealand with ExpressVPN

One of the best VPN providers for unblocking US Netflix library from other countries is none other than ExpressVPN.

It has 3000+ high-speed, anonymous, and secures VPN servers in 160 locations in over 90 countries.

You can choose between 14 different places in the United States to connect to a server, which are– Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, New York, San Fransisco, New Jersey, Washington DC, Seattle, etc.

ExpressVPN’s servers are renowned for being not only fast and reliable but also secure and volatile. It doesn’t log any sort of user data, which has been proved by several audits from third-party security researchers.

In case you get disconnected from the VPN server, the ExpressVPN client will automatically kill your internet connection until it gets restored. This way, your browsing information doesn’t get leaked outside the VPN network.

While all VPN servers can potentially slow down your internet speed, ExpressVPN does its best to provide you a throttle-free connection. It also prevents your ISP from detecting your high-bandwidth Netflix usage, so that they won’t have any reasons to throttle your connection.

In the US, ExpressVPN has specialized servers that are coded to unblock Netflix and other streaming services. Simply follow the steps below to get American Netflix in NZ.

Step 1: Sign up for ExpressVPN Account

ExpressVPN currently offers three subscription plans for new users: monthly, semi-annual, and annual.

The plans are backed by ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee as well, in case you choose not to continue with the VPN provider. Here’s how you can sign up for an ExpressVPN account:

  • Visit the ExpressVPN website.
  • Now choose your ExpressVPN plan, then fill up the following empty field with your email address.
  • After that, choose your payment method for the VPN plan. Enter your card information if necessary, then click Join Now.

Once you successfully pay for the ExpressVPN plan, you will have to verify your email address and finish up creating your ExpressVPN account.

Step 2: Install the ExpressVPN Client & Activate your Account

ExpressVPN supports a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire OS, etc. On modern web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, you can install the ExpressVPN browser extension as well.

Go to expressvpn.com/vpn-software and select the operating system that powers your device. ExpressVPN offers tutorials for novice users, and you can easily install the ExpressVPN client on your device and activate it.

If you are currently using a Windows PC, then you can follow the steps below to do the same right now:

  • From ExpressVPN’s official page, go to the My Accounts section and sign in to your ExpressVPN account.
  • In your accounts page, there should be an activate code listed among other options. Copy it or note it down, as we will need it for the client activation.
  • Click the Download for Windows Once the ExpressVPN client installer finishes downloading, go to the downloads folder and double-click the file.
  • The Windows User Account Control (UAC) box should pop up. Click Yes to allow the installer to launch on your PC.
  • Click Next to go through the welcome screen on the installer, then click Set Up ExpressVPN. If you get the UAC prompt again, click Yes to start the installation.
  • After the installer window closes, the ExpressVPN client should launch on its own, and it will ask you to enter the activation code you copied earlier. On your keyboard, press the Ctrl+V key simultaneously to paste the code.
  • Finally, click the Sign In option and wait for the ExpressVPN client to finish auto-configuration.

Once you see the main window of the client, you are ready to connect to your preferred VPN server.

Also, Check – Best External Hard Drive for TV Recording

Step 3: Connect to American VPN Server with ExpressVPN

To get access to the US Netflix streaming library, you will now have to connect to an American VPN server first. Here’s how to do it with ExpressVPN:

  • First of all, click the button with an ellipsis symbol (⋯) on the right side of the Smart Location. A separate server picker window will open up.
  • Go to the All Locations tab and select the Americas from the options.
  • Now choose the United States from the list of countries. It will be set as your server location.
  • Click the power icon in the main window and wait until you see the Connected

ExpressVPN will automatically select the best server in the United States based on your connection. You can manually select a location from the server picker if you want to.

Step 4: Log in to Netflix & Enjoy

Now that you are connected to a US VPN server with ExpressVPN, you are pretty much set up. Assuming that you already have a Netflix account, go to netflix.com from a web browser or launch the official Netflix app on your device, then proceed to log in with your credentials.

If you get the “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy” message, then try to connect to one of the following ExpressVPN US servers: Los Angeles 5, New Jersey 3, Dallas 2, New York 2, Miami 2, Washington DC.

Which devices can you use to watch US Netflix in NZ?

As you may have already known, Netflix can be streamed on almost every smart device, including Android and iOS smartphones/tablets, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, and smart TVs from popular manufacturers, such as LG, Samsung, Hisense, etc.

If you want 4K HDR playback on your PC or Mac, then you have to use either Microsoft Edge or Safari for streaming Netflix.

Despite Netflix’s compatibility with such a wide variety of devices, VPN support is a whole different story.

Although ExpressVPN also offers client apps for several devices, the limitations of tvOS, Roku OS, WebOS, Tizen, and other operating systems restrict users from installing VPN apps.

However, you can go to expressvpn.com/vpn-software, where you will find advanced configuration guides for setting up ExpressVPN on unsupported devices.

Still, it’s a very complicated process, and you might have to look out for alternative options for streaming US Netflix content in New Zealand.

Similar – Watch BBC iPlayer in NZ

Wrapping Up

The Netflix library in New Zealand is definitely inferior compared to the one in the United States. Many top-rated American shows are missing from the catalog, mainly because of the limited streaming rights.

However, we have shown you the way to get US Netflix in NZ using a VPN service.

Do not disconnect from the VPN while you are streaming content from the US Netflix library. Otherwise, you will get an error message and won’t be able to access the content anymore.

How to Get US Netflix in New Zealand

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