5 Best VPNs for New Zealand to Stay Anonymous in 2024
Reading time: 20 min
Updated on March 24, 2024
Traveling to New Zealand can prevent access to your home geo-blocked services like Netflix US or BBC iPlayer. Using a VPN is the best way to reclaim your streaming freedom and stay anonymous.
Not all VPNs have good unblocking abilities and security features to unlock your home content and keep you digitally invisible in New Zealand. I tested the top industry-leading VPNs and picked the best ones for New Zealand.
Overall, ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN for New Zealand. It uses cutting-edge encryption and has a robust network infrastructure for secure browsing in the country. You can try ExpressVPN for yourself as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Quick Guide: Best VPNs for New Zealand in 2024
- ExpressVPN — ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for New Zealand because it has the best combination of security, privacy, speed, and unblocking abilities.
- CyberGhost — Smart rules automatically encrypt your traffic when you join a network in New Zealand, but its regular servers can’t always access some streaming platforms.
- Private Internet Access — Has the largest server network for easily accessing your home content from New Zealand, but it’s located in a 5 Eyes country.
- NordVPN — CyberSec blocks ads, trackers, and malware for safe browsing in New Zealand, but its Onion over VPN servers can slow down your connection considerably.
- Surfshark — Invisible to Devices protects you on New Zealand networks, but its in-built speed test feature doesn’t work.
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
The Best VPNs for New Zealand — Updated 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for New Zealand With Military-Grade Security and Privacy Features
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand and Australia
- Offers TrustedServer network, military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and private DNS
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chromebook, browsers, routers, smart TVs, and more
- Secure up to 8 devices simultaneously in New Zealand
- Buy with confidence with its 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is my #1 pick for New Zealand due to its state-of-the-art security and privacy features. It has private DNS on every server, so ExpressVPN handles all your DNS queries giving you 100% online privacy from third parties. It can access your home content and provide blazing-fast speeds for lag-free UHD streaming and online gaming.
With its TrustedServer network, ExpressVPN ensures that your data can never be recorded in New Zealand. It uses RAM-only servers that have volatile memory and are incapable of logging data. On top of that, it offers the following security and privacy features:
- Military-grade encryption — uses a 256-bit cipher to hide your data from third parties in New Zealand and prevent interception.
- Kill switch — automatically cuts off your internet during lost VPN connections to prevent accidental leaks (though 15 of ExpressVPN’s servers I tested remained stable).
- Leak protection — ensures your real IP address in New Zealand stays invisible, especially with its IPv6 traffic prevention feature.
- Threat Manager — provides real-time updates and protection against known threats, malware, and malicious websites for secure browsing in New Zealand.
You can stream your favorite Kiwi shows like Westside and 800 Words in UHD without buffering. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is lightweight and efficient. It minimizes drops over large distances, giving you optimal performance for bandwidth-intensive activities.
Accessing your home platforms from New Zealand takes just a few clicks with ExpressVPN. It has the most extensive network with 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, so you can get an IP address in your home country during your stay in New Zealand and access:
| Netflix | HBO Max | TVNZ OnDemand | Sky Go |
| Amazon Prime Video | Hulu | DocPlay | Neon |
| Disney+ | BBC iPlayer | Lightbox | ThreeNow |
It took me less than 5 minutes to install ExpressVPN on my Windows laptop, MacBook, iPhone, and Android phone. All apps have consistent and beginner-friendly interfaces, making the VPN easily navigable across platforms. You can encrypt up to 8 devices with ExpressVPN in New Zealand and even extend this limit by setting it up on your router.
The only drawback of ExpressVPN is its relatively high price tag. However, my test results showed that it’s well worth the investment. For instance, the Lightway protocol gave me blazing-fast speeds even on servers 10,000+ miles away.
To get a % discount, you can subscribe to ExpressVPN’s 2-year + 4 months free plan. The reliable customer support and 30-day money-back guarantee reinforced my confidence in ExpressVPN. The live chat support agent immediately approved my request without asking any questions — I got reimbursed in 4 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as per month + get extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — Smart Rules Automatically Encrypt Your Device on New Zealand Networks
Key Features:
- 10+ servers in New Zealand and 11,670+ in 100 countries, including Australia
- Has secure protocols, NoSpy servers, military-grade encryption, and a kill switch
- Compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and more
- Protect up to 7 devices simultaneously on New Zealand networks
- Try it risk-free with its 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s smart rules prevent you from going online on New Zealand networks without encrypting your traffic first. Every time I connected to a coffee shop or airport hotspot, CyberGhost established a secure VPN connection before any of my online activities were accessible to others on the network.
For ultimate privacy in New Zealand, I recommend using the NoSpy servers. These servers are hosted in CyberGhost’s privately-owned data centers in Romania, eliminating the risk of third-party interference. Self-managed servers also provide excellent server health, especially CyberGhost’s optimized connections which were slightly faster than regular ones. It also has:
- No-logs policy — ensures that CyberGhost doesn’t keep any records of your online activities in New Zealand.
- Malware and tracker blocker — safeguards your browsing sessions on New Zealand networks by blocking malicious websites, intrusive trackers, and other harmful content.
- In-built leak protection — Prevents DNS, IP, and WebRTC leaks so that your real IP address in New Zealand isn’t exposed to prying eyes.
- Military-grade encryption — makes your browsing traffic undecipherable by encrypting it with a 256-bit cipher, which is used by military agencies to hide confidential data.
I got blazing-fast speeds on CyberGhost’s servers in New Zealand, although they were 8,000 miles away — 87Mbps was enough to watch Life of Birds, an 8K nature documentary on YouTube, without any buffering. While the IKEv2 protocol was slightly faster, I recommend WireGuard as it offers a strong balance of security and speed.
A small issue with CyberGhost is that its regular servers can’t always unblock platforms like DAZN, Channel 4, and ITV. However, you can use its streaming-optimized servers to access home content from New Zealand — they’re built to bypass geo-restrictions and provide lag-free streaming.
You can get CyberGhost for just a year with its 2-year + 2 months plan. It provides a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free to see if it fits your needs. I shared my subscription details via live chat support and got my money back after 3 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access — Extensive Network Can Easily Access Global Platforms From New Zealand
Key Features:
- 35,000+ servers in 91 countries like New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and Japan
- Includes RAM-only servers, an ad blocker, a kill switch, and military-grade encryption
- Has user-friendly apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows
- Allows unlimited simultaneous device connections to protect all your devices in New Zealand
- Makes your purchase risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA can access nearly any global platform from New Zealand given its high server density. With 35,000+ servers in 91 countries, PIA boasts 400+ servers per country — that’s 4 times that of most other VPNs. This gives you ample server options to stream your home content during your stay in New Zealand:
| TVNZ OnDemand | DocPlay | Neon | Disney+ |
| Netflix New Zealand | ThreeNow | HBO Max | Lightbox |
| Sky Go | StuffPix | Maori TV | BBC iPlayer |
All of PIA’s servers support 10Gbps ports as part of its NextGen network, ensuring they don’t get overcrowded. While UHD streaming, online gaming, or torrenting, PIA gave me excellent speeds on distant connections in the US and Australia. My connections didn’t drop more than 15% from baseline levels.
I used WireGuard in my speed tests, but you can switch to OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, or SOCKS5 proxy. The proxy is the fastest but doesn’t encrypt your data. Besides that, PIA has:
- Flexible encryption — lets you reduce encryption from 256-bit to 128-bit to get faster speeds without compromising much on security.
- Kill switch — instantly disconnects you from the internet if the VPN server becomes unstable to avoid accidental leaks, but that never happened during my tests.
- Leak protection — keeps your IP address hidden on New Zealand networks to protect your online privacy.
My only reservation with PIA was its location in the US, a central member of the 5 Eyes alliance of data-sharing countries. However, PIA has a no-logs policy verified by Deloitte and uses RAM-only servers, so your online activities in New Zealand will be hidden from third parties.
You can protect all your devices in New Zealand with PIA’s unlimited simultaneous connections and also set up the VPN on your smart TV. Test it yourself with its 30-day money-back guarantee — you’ll get a refund if you change your mind. I got mine in 5 days after submitting a request via PIA’s live chat support and providing my invoice details.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
4. NordVPN — CyberSec Protects You From Malware and Hackers in New Zealand
Key Features:
- 6,300+ servers in 111 countries, including New Zealand, Australia, and Japan
- Military-grade encryption, CyberSec malware blocker, a kill switch, and leak protection
- Works on all major platforms such as Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows
- Provides global IP addresses in New Zealand on up to 10 devices at once
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free purchase
NordVPN’s CyberSec gives you thorough online protection in New Zealand by blocking intrusive ads, malicious sites, and phishing attacks. This is especially useful on public networks that often have cybercriminals lurking around to steal sensitive data. CyberSec successfully blocked all pop-up ads on my screen and noticeably improved site load times.
Besides protecting your browsing activities, NordVPN has the following security and privacy features to keep you anonymous in New Zealand:
- Double VPN servers — route your traffic through 2 different servers to double the encryption, making it extremely difficult for anyone to spy on you on Kiwi networks.
- Military-grade encryption — hides your online activities in New Zealand with a powerful 256-bit cipher, making your data nearly indecipherable.
- No-logs policy — means that NordVPN doesn’t collect or store any logs of your online activities to maintain your online privacy in New Zealand.
Its proprietary NordLynx protocol gave me fast speeds for UHD streaming and other bandwidth-intensive activities like online gaming. By leveraging the speed and efficiency of WireGuard, NordLynx offers lightning-fast connections but goes further to ensure your data doesn’t get written onto the server with its double NAT feature.
I didn’t get equally fast speeds with NordVPN’s Onion over VPN specialty servers. But that’s expected when routing your data through the TOR network. NordVPN’s Double VPN servers give you more than enough security in New Zealand, so I’d rather use them.
While NordVPN is one of the most affordable monthly VPNs, I recommend its 2-year + 3 months plan as it comes with a 74% discount. You can try NordVPN risk-free with its 30 money-back guarantee. The refund process was fairly simple via live chat. The support agent verified my subscription details, and I got my money back after a week.
NordVPN is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
5. Surfshark — Invisible to Devices Feature Hides You From Hackers on New Zealand WiFi Networks
Key Features:
- Multiple IP addresses in New Zealand and 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
- Has IP address rotation, RAM-only servers, military-grade encryption, and a kill switch
- Protects Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices in New Zealand
- Lets you secure unlimited devices in New Zealand
- Take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark’s Invisible to Devices feature protects you from hackers in New Zealand. It makes your device invisible to others connected to the same network, preventing potential hacks. This is useful when you’re using public WiFi and want an extra layer of security against prying eyes. Surfshark also offers:
- IP address rotation — changes your IP address at regular intervals to make your online activities in New Zealand untraceable.
- RAM-only servers — can’t store your data as they have volatile memory and don’t use hard drives like other conventional VPNs.
- GPS Override — spoofs your location to give you access to location-based services like Google Maps and Uber.
I averaged speeds of 80Mbps using Surfshark’s server in Auckland. Unless you want to access your home bank account or streaming platform, I suggest using the Fastest Server button to connect to the best available server from your location — this improved my connections by 7%. However, in both cases, I played Left 4 Dead 2 without lag.
You can protect all your devices in New Zealand with Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections. I used it on 9 of my devices and the apps didn’t glitch or crash, which often happens with VPNs with limitless connections.
My only reservation was that I couldn’t get the in-built speed test feature on Surfshark’s app to work. But that wasn’t a big issue as I use third-party sites like Ookla anyway. Its CleanWeb ad blocker removed annoying pop-up ads on my screen, improving my browsing experience.
To get the best value, I recommend Surfshark’s 2-year + 4 months plan as it offers a 87% discount. You can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee and try Surfshark risk-free. The live chat support agent confirmed my account details and immediately confirmed my refund request — I got my money back after a week.
Surfshark is compatible with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
Comparison Table: Best VPNs for New Zealand in 2024
| VPN | Lowest price per month | Avg. speed on NZ servers | Servers in countries | Proprietary protocol | Money-Back Guarantee |
| ExpressVPN | 94Mbps | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries | ✔ | 30 days | |
| CyberGhost | 87Mbps | 11,670+ servers in 100 countries | ✘ | 45 days | |
| PIA | 85Mbps | 35,000+ servers in 56 countries | ✘ | 30 days | |
| NordVPN | $2.99 | 83Mbps | 6,300+ servers in 111 countries | ✔ | 30 days |
| Surfshark | $1.99 | 80Mbps | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | ✘ | 30 days |
How to Choose the Best VPN for New Zealand
When selecting a VPN for New Zealand, it’s crucial to consider certain factors to ensure you choose the best option suited to your needs. Here are some key aspects to consider when making your decision:
- Security and privacy: Look for a VPN with robust features like 256-bit military-grade encryption, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and extras like an ad and malware blocker.
- Server Network: I considered VPNs that offer global server coverage and can access popular streaming platforms like Netflix US from New Zealand.
- Speeds: I ran extensive speed tests to ensure my top picks offered fast connections for data-intensive activities like UHD streaming, online gaming, and torrenting.
- Compatibility: You should get a VPN that works on all major platforms and allows multiple simultaneous devices on a single subscription.
- Customer Support: I tried out each VPN’s support options and evaluated them on the level of helpfulness and prompt replies.
- Value for money: I looked for competitively priced plans, long-term subscription discounts, and money-back guarantees to pick the best VPNs for New Zealand.
3 Easy Steps to Get a VPN in New Zealand
- Download a VPN. ExpressVPN is my #1 pick for New Zealand due to its excellent overall security, privacy, speed, and unblocking abilities.
- Connect to a server. Choose a server from the list or use the VPN’s auto-connect button to connect to the fastest one, which is usually the nearest server to you.
- That’s it! Now you can browse the web safely and anonymously in New Zealand.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
FAQs on VPNs for New Zealand
Is using a VPN legal in New Zealand?
Yes, there are no specific laws in New Zealand that restrict VPNs. You can use top VPNs on this list to stay anonymous in New Zealand, but ensure that you don’t break any laws such as copyright infringement.
Using a VPN also keeps you safe on public networks in New Zealand that often have hackers lurking around to steal your sensitive data like financial details. This gives you complete privacy on the Kiwi web, making your traffic undecipherable even if intercepted.
Can I use a proxy in New Zealand instead of a VPN?
Yes, but it’s not the safest option. I recommend using one of the reliable VPNs on this list. While a proxy changes your IP address and location, many don’t encrypt your data and leave it exposed to prying eyes.
In contrast, a reliable VPN like the one from this list offers robust security and privacy features like military-grade 256-bit encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. Some free proxies are fronts for cybercriminals to exploit or steal your data.
How do I check if my VPN works?
You can use this online IP address checker tool to verify if your VPN has changed your IP address. Note down your original IP address and location and compare it after you’ve connected to a server.
In addition, you can run leak tests to ensure your VPN isn’t leaking your DNS requests. You should also check for WebRTC leaks, which happen when your browser unintentionally exposes your real IP address even while connected to a VPN.
Is it safe to use a free VPN in New Zealand?
Get a VPN (That Works) for New Zealand Today!
When spending time in New Zealand, accessing your streaming platforms from your home country may pose a challenge. Additionally, there’s a potential risk of encountering hackers who lurk on public WiFi networks. Using a VPN is the quickest way to regain access to content in New Zealand and become invisible to prying eyes.
However, not all VPNs have robust security and privacy features. ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for New Zealand as it offers the best overall performance in terms of speed, unblocking, security, and privacy. You can try ExpressVPN yourself risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Summary: These are the Best VPNs for New Zealand in 2024
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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