How to get a New Zealand IP address: Unlocking geo-restrictions

Some TV channels and streaming services you use every day in New Zealand may become unavailable if you leave the country (due to copyright and licensing reasons). Fortunately, you can get around such restrictions using a VPN to get a New Zealand IP address.

When you connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server, your internet traffic is encrypted, providing you with a secure browsing experience. Additionally, the VPN assigns you a new, temporary IP address based on the location of the server you’re connected to. This allows you to ‘trick’ websites into thinking you’re in a different location, giving you the freedom to access geo-restricted content from New Zealand.

In this article, we explain exactly how to get a New Zealand IP address using a VPN, and we list the best VPNs for the job. We’ll get into detailed reviews of each of the providers we recommend later on, but in case you’re short on time, start with the quick summary below, or jump straight to the step-by-step guide.

Best VPNs for getting an IP address from New Zealand:

1. NordVPN The best VPN for getting a New Zealand IP address. More than 7,400 servers worldwide, 20 of which are in New Zealand. Unlimited bandwidth for streaming. No-logs service with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for a NZ IP.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN. Unlimited simultaneous connections. Strong unblocking ability for accessing online content from New Zealand.
3. IPVanish: No connection limit. Super-fast speeds and unblocks New Zealand TV platforms. Operates a zero-logs policy and uses encryption to secure your data.
4. ExpressVPN: Fast servers and strong unblocking ability. Excellent apps and 24/7 support. Secures your data with high-end encryption.
5. CyberGhost: High-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth. Over 10,000 servers. Very strong security with a strict no-logs policy.
6. ProtonVPN: Eight reliable servers in New Zealand, with a network spanning 117+ other countries. Speedy and secure.
7. PrivateVPN: Servers in 63 countries, including New Zealand. Easy-to-use apps and live chat support. Great for streaming and highly secure.

How to get a New Zealand IP address from abroad

A VPN is the quickest and easiest way to get a New Zealand IP address. Just follow our step-by-step guide below to set up your VPN and start accessing your favorite New Zealand streaming services and websites while abroad.

Here’s how to get a New Zealand IP address with a VPN:

1. First, sign up for one of the VPN services recommended below. As you can see, we particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Next, download and install the appropriate VPN app (or browser extension) for your device.
3. Open the app or browser extension and connect to a server in New Zealand to change your IP address to New Zealand.
4. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies before refreshing your browser. This helps websites forget your previous IP address and accept that of the VPN.
5. Go to your preferred geo-blocked website or service, which should now be unblocked. If not, try another server. Alternatively, contact your VPN’s customer support.

How we selected to top VPNs for an NZ IP

Finding a VPN provider with servers in New Zealand is relatively easy. Finding one that’s also fast, secure, and good at unblocking stubborn streaming services isn’t quite so easy. The good news is that we’ve done the hard work for you by testing each provider in the following key areas before making any recommendations:

• Speed: To find out what sort of download speeds users might expect with an assumed New Zealand IP address, we carried out multiple speed tests while connected to each VPN’s New Zealand servers.
• Server suitability: We assessed this by looking at each provider’s network size (more servers means less congestion) and checking which of the most stubborn streaming platforms they were able to access.
• Security and privacy: A good quality VPN will keep your online activities hidden from potentially malicious third parties. We found the most secure and private providers by evaluating them against 16 different metrics.
• Ease of use: We like VPN software that makes it easy for people to protect their connection. We gauged which providers were the most user-friendly using 10 different metrics.
• Value for money: To find out which VPNs get you the most bang for your buck, we evaluated them against eight different value-for-money metrics.

The above is just an overview. We get into the nitty-gritty of our testing process in the methodology section later on, and give you the results of those tests. For now, let’s take a look at the best VPNs for getting a New Zealand IP address.

The best VPN to get a New Zealand IP address – Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for getting a New Zealand IP address.

Best VPNs for getting a New Zealand IP address

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for getting a New Zealand IP address so you can unblock content from New Zealand from anywhere in the world:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025

NordVPN is our number one choice VPN for getting a NZ IP address. One of the largest VPNs on the market it has a network of over 7,400 servers. This includes approximately 20 servers in New Zealand, some of which are optimized for P2P file-sharing.

Unlimited bandwidth means you’ll be able to browse, stream, and torrent without having to worry about your bandwidth being throttled. Moreover, the provider is extremely quick. While connected to its servers in New Zealand, we recorded speeds averaging 182.35 Mbps. Considering that we’re in the UK, this is an impressive result.

This VPN is very good at unblocking region-locked services, including TVNZ, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. It comes with a smart DNS feature that enables you to watch geo-restricted content on VPN-incompatible devices like games consoles.

Another reason to choose NordVPN is its comprehensive security offering. Data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption, while there’s also a kill switch and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. The provider even has its own connection protocols: NordLynx and NordWhisper.

This VPN is headquartered in Panama where there are no mandatory data retention laws, and as such, it follows a strict no-logs policy. It’s possible to secure up to ten devices at once, and you’ll even have access to 24/7 support via live chat and email.

NordVPN has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. Browser extensions are offered for Chrome and Firefox, although manual installation is required for router use.

BEST VPN FOR NEW ZEALAND:NordVPN is our top choice. It has a vast network of servers which includes 20 servers in New Zealand. Great at unblocking, with high speeds and unlimited bandwidth for streaming. Connect up to ten devices simultaneously. No-logs policy and Double VPN servers. Offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark stands out as a particularly strong choice for anyone who streams regularly. It has excellent unblocking ability as well as a growing network of more than 3,200 servers in over 100 countries around the world (including New Zealand).

What’s more, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is great if you plan to share your subscription with family. With Surfshark, you can expect unlimited bandwidth and fast speeds. In our tests, the provider averaged 173.17 Mbps. As a rough guide, this is fast enough to stream in 4K on six devices simultaneously. 

This VPN provides particularly helpful customer support, which is available 24/7 via live chat. Security is also taken very seriously, as evidenced by the 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and kill switch features.

Surfshark operates a strict no-logs policy and even offers Double VPN servers that encrypt your data twice. Finally, there’s a CleanWeb feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware automatically.

Secure all of your devices with Surfshark apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. This VPN can also be used with routers, but this involves manual installation.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark offers an easy and affordable way to get a New Zealand IP address. Good speeds, excellent apps, and 24/7 live chat support. Unlimited simultaneous connections. No-logs VPN with Double VPN servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish offers unlimited bandwidth and servers across dozens of countries. This includes servers in Auckland, New Zealand. Users can choose between individual servers based on their relative load and ping time.

Its fast speeds and consistent connections allow for uninterrupted streaming, even in 4K. In our tests, IPVanish achieved speeds of between 148.29 Mbps and 160.42 Mbps. As well as streaming, this is quick enough for smooth torrenting and gaming.  

This means you’ll be able to use various popular New Zealand TV channels, including TVNZ1, Bravo, and Prime. It also works with streaming services such as Lightbox and Neon.

What’s particularly good about IPVanish is that it lets you connect as many devices as you want simultaneously. It also offers strong security with 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and a Scramble function for traffic obfuscation.

IPVanish is a zero-logs provider: in other words, it doesn’t monitor, record, or store logs of any of its users. With all of these security features in place, you’ll be able to browse the web anonymously while connected to a New Zealand IP address. The newly created Advanced Tier comes bundled with 1 TB of cloud storage and access to a secure browser.

Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can also use this VPN with Linux or compatible routers but this requires manual setup.

SECURE ALL YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish offers unlimited bandwidth. Good speeds for streaming New Zealand TV. Can be used on any number of devices at once. Protects your privacy with its no-logs policy. Includes 24/7 live chat and email support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN makes it easy to get a New Zealand IP address. In fact, with more than 3,000 servers across 105 countries, you’ll be able to unblock geo-restricted content from all over the world. We had no issues using it with Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, or BBC iPlayer during testing.

While connected to its servers in New Zealand, we recorded speeds averaging 124.71 Mbps. This is fast enough to prevent any lag or buffering when streaming in the highest resolution available.

ExpressVPN does a very thorough job when it comes to protecting your privacy. It uses 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. Obfuscation is enabled by default, and the provider has its own connection protocol.

Furthermore, this VPN doesn’t keep any logs by which you can personally be identified as a user. There’s the option of paying in Bitcoin for added anonymity, while 24/7 live chat support is on hand should you have any questions.

Subscriptions allow up to eight simultaneous connections. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. Custom firmware is available for routers, plus you can download browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY:ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, New Zealand included. Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Includes 24/7 live chat support and offers user-friendly apps. Secure with encryption. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

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5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is suitable for any online activity, be it browsing or streaming. Its network of over 10,000 servers spans 100 countries, New Zealand included.

The provider also has dedicated streaming servers that are labelled with the platforms that they work best with. You’ll be able to use these to watch the likes of Netflix US as well as TVNZ, Three, and Bravo.

Download speeds while connected to CyberGhost’s New Zealand servers averaged 121.79 Mbps, which is more than fast enough for everything from streaming and gaming to torrenting and video calling. 

This VPN includes 24/7 live chat support in case you have any issues. However, the apps are very quick and easy to use, allowing you to get a New Zealand IP address in seconds.

Apps come with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to bolster your online security. There’s also a strict no-logs policy as well as “NoSpy” servers, which are independently operated to reduce the risk of third-party interference.

A CyberGhost subscription means you’ll have access to apps for desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux), mobile (Android and iOS), Amazon Fire TV, and Android. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions can also be downloaded. Routers can be configured manually.

HIGH-SPEED SERVERS:CyberGhost offers fast speeds for streaming and torrenting. Some 10,000 servers in 100 countries, including New Zealand. Use on up to seven devices. Strict no-logs policy and high-end encryption for your security. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has more than 12,000 servers spread across 117 countries. This includes New Zealand, where it has eight servers for users to choose from.

In our tests for this article, ProtonVPN’s New Zealand servers delivered an average speed of 117.35 Mbps. This makes it suitable for a range of day-to-day tasks such as streaming, gaming or making video calls to New Zealand. 

ProtonVPN works with some of the most popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, TVNZ, and Disney+. For a better viewing experience, users can activate the automatic ad-blocker or accelerator function that pushes your speeds to the absolute max.

Up to 10 devices can be connected simultaneously, and there is a 24/7 live chat in case anything goes wrong.

One of the great things about this provider is that it doesn’t compromise on security. In fact, its encryption is practically unbreakable and, by default, you’re protected from data leaks, trackers, and ISP throttling. Advanced users will appreciate the port forwarding and split tunneling options too.

ProtonVPN refuses to keep any logs of your activities (a fact corroborated by third-party auditors). It accepts multiple anonymous payment methods and provides multi-hop servers in secure data centers for tasks requiring a higher level of privacy.

ProtonVPN offers apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its website also provides detailed setup guides for anyone hoping to install this VPN on the router.

HIGH-SPEED SERVERS:ProtonVPN has plenty of reliable servers in New Zealand and offers a level of customization that’s not commonly seen. It prioritizes digital security and boasts fantastic streaming ability.

Find out more in our full ProtonVPN review.

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7. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a secure VPN that allows unlimited bandwidth for browsing, streaming and torrenting. Its modest network of around 200 servers spans dozens of countries worldwide, not just New Zealand.

One of this VPN’s biggest strengths is its unblocking ability. In fact, you’ll be able to access the likes of TVNZ, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and a range of other streaming services while connected.

It lets you have up to ten simultaneous connections per account. Other features include port forwarding and a highly effective stealth mode.

This VPN makes it particularly easy to get a New Zealand IP address. Its beginner-friendly desktop and mobile apps allow you to connect to a server in seconds. Live chat support is available 22 hours per day, and there’s even remote help with installation.

In our tests, download speeds averaged 36.36 Mbps. While this is significantly slower than the previously mentioned VPNs, it’s still fast enough for streaming in 4K. 

Users who want faster speeds can drop the level of encryption use on their traffic. Reducing the key length from 256-bit to 128-bit makes connections faster, though at a cost to security.

PrivateVPN has a strict no-logs policy and secures your data with 256-bit AES encryption. Further security features include DNS leak protection and a kill switch.

In order to use PrivateVPN, you’ll need to download one of the apps that are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Manual setup instructions are provided for use with compatible routers.

UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH:PrivateVPN doesn’t throttle your bandwidth, which makes it ideal for streaming. Beginner-friendly service with excellent desktop and mobile apps. Live chat support is available. Offers a no-logs policy and encrypts data. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

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Finding the best VPNs for getting a New Zealand IP address: Our methodology

You can’t be expected to try every single VPN with servers in New Zealand. That would take far too much time (and money!). To make life easier for you, we extensively tested the top providers. Below, we explain the methodology we used:

Speed

It’s entirely up to you whether you use your New Zealand IP address for browsing, streaming, or torrenting. Our job is to find the fastest VPNs so you can do all of these without having to contend with performance issues.

We carried out multiple speed tests while connected to each provider’s New Zealand servers. Measurements were taken using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app. To better approximate the experience of the average user, we rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps since this is roughly the average home broadband speed in the US.

Once the results were in, we averaged them for each provider before converting them to an overall score out of 10.

NordVPN was the fastest VPN overall, though Surfshark wasn’t far behind. Both providers are highly recommended if you want the fastest connections possible.

Server suitability

To get a New Zealand IP address, you’ll need to connect to a server in New Zealand. As such, we only selected VPNs with servers in New Zealand.

We scored providers on the overall number of servers they had in their networks. More servers means there’s less chance that a location like New Zealand could become unavailable. Next, we scored providers on their streaming ability. This involved testing them with difficult-to-access platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

These two scores were combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each provider. This makes a direct comparison far easier, as the chart below demonstrates.

NordVPN again scored highest thanks to its vast server network and exceptional unblocking ability. Surfshark was also great at accessing geo-restricted content, though its server network is roughly half the size of NordVPN’s.

Security and privacy

At the very least, a VPN should encrypt your data and protect you from leaks. However, we like providers that go above and beyond with a range of extra security and privacy features — which we’ve included as part of the test metrics in the table below.

Each metric was assigned a score according to its relative importance. These scores were again combined to create an overall score out of 10 for each provider.

NordVPN and Surfshark each scored 9.5, and are the best options for users concerned about protecting their connections. Both providers use effectively uncrackable encryption and RAM-only servers. They’ve also undergone multiple third-party audits that assess their software and infrastructure.

Value for money

A VPN should provide multiple subscription options. Typically, the longer your subscription, the more you can save. Providers should also come with a money-back guarantee, as well as perform well against the other metrics in the table below.

Again, each metric was assigned a score, which we used to generate an overall score out of 10 for each VPN.

Surfshark’s score of 9.7 was the highest. This is primarily due to its low-cost two-year subscriptions and lack of connection limit. IPVanish earned second place with a score of 9.6. While it also has no connection limit, its subscriptions are a little more expensive than Surfshark’s.

Ease of use

All of the above is important, but of little use if the VPN doesn’t work or is too difficult to set up! From installation to server connection, we looked for VPNs that made things easy for beginners. You can see how each provider performed against our various test metrics in the table below.

As before, each metric was assigned a score. These were summed to generate an overall score out of 10.

NordVPN, with a score of 9.6, was the easiest to use provider overall. Its apps are well-designed and easy to use, while the customer support via live chat is excellent. IPVanish and ExpressVPN are also notably high-scoring and recommended for those new to VPN software.

Getting a NZ IP address for free

We know it’s tempting to try using a free VPN to gain a New Zealand IP, but unfortunately, that’s not really an option. Few free VPNs offer servers in New Zealand, while even fewer unblock the online content of TV channels and streaming services. Some free VPNs simply won’t work with the likes of TVNZ, Netflix, and Lightbox. What’s worse is that slow speeds and bandwidth throttling only serve to make browsing and streaming all the more challenging.

We also advise caution due to the lack of security provided by free VPN services. Some don’t encrypt your internet traffic, so your data may be vulnerable. Others may not offer a no-logs policy and may even log your personal information and browsing data before selling it to third parties.

Alternatively, you can try using a proxy server to get a free New Zealand IP address. However, it’s essential to note that this can be risky too, as free proxy servers may not be as secure or reliable as using a VPN service.

For these reasons, we believe free VPNs and proxies are best avoided. If you’re finding the cost of gaining a NZ IP address too much, we recommend opting for a quality VPN with a free trial or making the most of the money-back guarantees of the providers listed above. That way, you can claim a full refund if you’re not 100% happy with the service, and not be out of pocket.

Gaining an IP Address for New Zealand: FAQs