How to Watch HBO Max in New Zealand

Warner Bros HBO is an entertainment giant and one of the top household names for delivering fantastic TV shows, such as The Sopranos, True Detective, Game of Thrones, and movies such as the recent hit Justice League Snyder Cut, and much more for the entire family.

The streaming platform has a vast audience inside the United States; however, watching HBO shows outside the country hasn’t happened as expected, and HBO New Zealand isn’t yet a thing.

Fans worldwide, particularly in New Zealand, are left wondering whether they will ever get HBO Max as a pure standalone streaming service? With the end of HBO Go, New Zealand had hoped HBO Max would be the excellent streaming option, yet things went a very different route for now as with other countries.

Use a fast and reliable VPN service to access HBO in New Zealand

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Things are far from straightforward with the streaming service forming partnerships in various countries rather than establishing a standalone service. The quickest way to watch HBO in New Zealand is to take up Sky cable subscriptions.

As a result, without this, you won’t have direct access to any live or on-demand content for fans in New Zealand unless you sign up for Sky.

If you want to watch HBO shows, movies, and sports in New Zealand, you can use the rest of this guide and learn how to access the HBO streaming service or HBO content in New Zealand.

Is HBO Max Available in NZ?

Sky Entertainment has won exclusive streaming and television rights to broadcast HBO material in New Zealand, allowing it to broadcast the US-based network’s programs in the country. You must pay $25.99 per month to subscribe to the Sky Movies Starter package.

If you want more action, you’d have to sign up for Sky Sports or Sky movies as a separate plan. New Zealand HBO via Sky may not offer the full library and could be a watered-down version of the TV programming the HBO parent company offers subscribers in the USA.

HBO Max vs HBO Go vs HBO NOW

HBO

HBO GO used to be the streaming service you got with an HBO cable subscription.

The service would let you stream HBO shows when away from your TV. With subscriptions, HBO GO was technically free. For anyone outside the USA, it wasn’t accessible.

HBO Now

HBO NOW was a standalone streaming service to watch HBO videos on demand without a cable subscription. It was an excellent way for cord-cutters and binge-watchers to access shows like The Sopranos without signing up for cable.

HBO NOW costs $14.99 per month and has been replaced by the following option. HBO Now has also been rebranded as HBO now that HBO Go no longer exists.

HBO Max

The focus is on HBO Max, the premium service, yet at the same price as HBO Now.

The service offers all the content without subscribers signing up for cable. Yet, it still sits behind the same streaming rights restrictions, and the streaming services are only available to viewers inside the USA.

Shows on HBO Max are The Big Bang Theory, Lord of the Rings, and much more.

How to Watch HBO Max in NZ?

You’ll need a VPN to watch HBO Max in the best possible way. This is the simplest way to sign up for HBO and start signing content from the United States.

1. Subscribe to one of the recommended VPN services for New Zealand
2. Install the VPN app and log in using your account details
3. Select a US-based VPN server
4. Navigate to the play.hbomax.com. page
5. Sign in to watch HBO in New Zealand.

You can now access more hours of Warner Bros content in NZ with over 1300+ movies and TV show options from the BBC, CNN, TBS, Looney Tunes, and HBO Max Original content.

How to Sign Up for HBO

To watch HBO in New Zealand, you need to go through a sign-up process. As it appears complicated, there are a couple of ways to get around the payment issue. New Zealand HBO requires a US payment method such as American Express, credit card, or US PayPal.

1. Head to https://www.hbomax.com/subscribe in a browser
2. Complete the account sign-up form. Use your details to log in with your created password.
3. Add your payment method such as credit card details (see below for HBO in New Zealand)
4. Select Start Subscription.
5. Select “Let’s Go,” and you can sign in to access HBO in New Zealand.

Paying for HBO Max

Here you can find the best workaround to pay the $14.99 per month for the HBO streaming services. Since there is no HBO Max Gift Cards, you need to use HBO Now Gift Cards as they still work.

Here are the steps to take using an HBO Now gift card to subscribe to HBO.

1. Navigate to https://www.mygiftcardsupply.com/product/buy-us-hbo-card/ or another online retailer and purchase an HBO Now gift card.
2. With your gift card details, navigate to https://subscribe.hbonow.com/gift.
3. Enter the gift card code and a US state and US zip code to redeem your HBO Now gift card.
4. Enter the email address you will use to sign up.
5. Once you’ve entered all your details, navigate to play.hbomax.com.
6. Sign in to HBO Max streaming services with the email address and password.

Sign up for HBO with Apple

It helps to have your VPN running before you start doing this.

1. Change app store region on Apple devices
2. Sign out of your iCloud Account.
3. Create a new iCloud account with the location set as the US.
4. Download the HBO Max app.
5. While connected to a US VPN server, sign up for an HBO Max account.

Sign Up for HBO NZ On Android Devices

1. Connect to a US server with your chosen VPN.
2. Open the Google Play Store.
3. Click the 3-bars on the top-left, and then press Account.
4. Click the option allowing you to switch your region.
5. Update your payment method.
6. Now go back to your Account and confirm the change of your region.
7. Download HBO Max and sign up for a subscription.

If you can pay through Google or Apple, you might pay directly using your regular payment method. However, the Gift Card method is a more reliable way to access HBO in New Zealand.

Use a fast and reliable VPN service to access HBO in New Zealand

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Best VPN for HBO Max NZ

1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN to Watch HBO Max New Zealand

Pros

• High buffer-free streaming speeds
• Military-grade security and privacy protection
• Most reliable streaming service unblocking
• Industry-leading 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• No built-in Ad-Blocker
• Limited customization options for advanced users

Over 3,000 servers are hosted by ExpressVPN in 94 countries, with 28 US-based server locations. As a result, it is the best choice for geo-restricted streaming services in New Zealand.

You won’t even experience lag or buffering when streaming 4K HBO content because it’s quick. Users can have up to 5 simultaneous connections with each Account unless installed on a home router.

ExpressVPN has secure apps on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android TV, Apple laptops, and iOS, and you can use the MediaStreamer DNS for Xbox and other devices that don’t have an app.

You’ll discover mobile apps on Google Play and the Apple Store and browser extensions once you’ve signed up. (Learn How Much Does ExpressVPN Cost)

Military-grade security features include 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch to prevent WebRTC, IPv6, and DNS leaks. Split Tunnelling allows you to bypass the VPN while you are watching shows on HBO.

ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands and keeps no logs. 24/7 live chat customer service is available for support if you have issues watching HBO on-demand in New Zealand.

ExpressVPN Can Also Unblock:

• BBC iPlayer, iTV, and Channel 4
• Hulu, FuboTV & Sling TV
• Netflix (multiple Libraries besides US Netflix)
• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+
• Showtime
• DAZN & beIN Sports
• Crackle & Hotstar
• Peacock and many more

2. NordVPN – Reliable & Secure HBO NZ VPN

Pros

• Fast speeds to prevent buffering
• Offers 24/7 live chat
• A secure VPN service provider for hiding IP addresses
• SmartPlay smart DNS to stream region-blocked services.

Cons

• Desktop apps can be clunky
• Long-distance speeds may suffer in some regions

NordVPN offers many security levels and is one of the best providers for masking your IP address to watch HBO in New Zealand. On most major platforms, you can use VPN apps on six devices simultaneously.

With the 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test the VPN and contact support if you need assistance.

With over 5000 VPN servers across the globe, you can watch HBO in New Zealand with no issues. Using the SmartPlay VPN and DNS technology blend, your IP address is hidden to make streaming safer and worry-free. (Read our NordVPN Review)

The Zero logs policy, military-grade encryption, IP leak protection, and the CyberSec ad-blocker are all provided to ensure your safety.

NordVPN Can Also Unblock

• BBC iPlayer, iTV, and Channel 4
• Hulu, Netflix & Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+ & Showtime
• DAZN, Hotstar & beIN Sports
• Peacock and more

3. Surfshark – Most-Affordable VPN to stream HBO NZ

Pros

• Unlimited device connections
• Good buffer-free TV shows and movies streaming
• Great content unblocking ability
• Built-in Ad-blocker

Cons

• The fastest Server selection is not always fast

Another way to watch HBO abroad is Surfshark. Over 3200 VPN servers are now deployed in 65 countries.

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections to stream on many devices with a VPN subscription. A 256-bit AES VPN keeps your internet protection hidden through IP6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. (Learn How to Watch Rick and Morty Online)

Data privacy is hidden with a kill switch, ad-blocker, tracker, and malware protection. The VPN offers a zero-log policy and goes through audits to verify they are secure. (Read our Surfshark Review)

You can start watching HBO in NZ using the VPN on macOS, Android, Windows, iOS, Xbox One, and Linux. You can carry out manual configuration on routers. You will also be able to test with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark Can Also Unblock

• BBC iPlayer, iTV, and Channel 4
• Hulu and Sling TV
• Netflix (multiple Libraries)
• Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney +
• DAZN & beIN Sports
• Hotstar, Crackle, and many more

What to Watch on HBO Max (Best Movies and Shows)

Besides Friends, South Park, and The Big Bang Theory, some of the hottest TV shows on HBO Max.

• Babylon 5, Barry, Batman: The Animated Series, Big Little Lies
• Chernobyl, Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Deadwood, Doom Patrol, Eastbound & Down, Euphoria
• Flight of the Conchords, Game of Thrones
• Harley Quinn, High Maintenance, His Dark Materials
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Lovecraft Country
• Mare of Easttown, Perry Mason, Raised by Wolves
• Rick and Morty, Sharp Objects, Silicon Valley
• The Outsider, The Sopranos, The Wire
• True Detective, Veep, Warrior, Watchmen & Westworld

Best HBO Movies

• Alien, Argo, Cast Away, and Clerks
• Dunkirk, Ford v Ferrari, and High Fidelity
• Jojo Rabbit, Joker, and Justice League Snyder Cut
• Lincoln
• School of Rock
• The Invisible Man, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

HBO Compatible Devices

• Amazon Fire TV & Android
• Apple TV & iOS
• PC and Mac
• PS4 and PS3 & Xbox One
• Roku device
• Samsung TV & Smart TV

Wrap Up

You can watch all the famous TV shows, movies, documentaries, and other types of content from HBO. For those who access HBO subscriptions, looking for other entertainment options is unnecessary.

Using a VPN service app to watch on HBO offers the best way to get all the content without using services that offer channels you don’t watch. a VPN features many ways to access your favourite TV series from anywhere they have a server located. (Learn How to Watch Justice League Online)

VPN services in NZ offer much more than accessing HBO. Try the above with the money-back guarantee, and you’ll find the internet very different.