How to watch ThreeNow outside of New Zealand

Want to watch ThreeNow outside New Zealand? Licensing contracts require ThreeNow to block viewers located abroad. The easiest way to unblock ThreeNow overseas – or on a restricted network – is to use a VPN.

A VPN routes your traffic through a server in New Zealand. This gives you a valid New Zealand IP address – even when you’re on vacation. Once connected, you can stream ThreeNow, TVNZ, Neon, and any other Kiwi TV platform that you need to access abroad or at work.

We tested market-leading VPN brands to find the fastest, most reliable VPNs for ThreeNow. Our top picks use modern protocols like WireGuard and run on secure global server networks. That means you can also use your VPN to access international platforms like Netflix USA, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Prime Video.

These are the best VPNs for watching ThreeNow outside New Zealand:

1. NordVPN: — The best VPN overall for ThreeNow.
2. Surfshark: — Best to watch ThreeNow on a budget
3. Total VPN: — Best streaming VPN bundled with an antivirus
4. ProtonVPN: — Outstanding choice for privacy-focused users
5. ExpressVPN: — Perfect if you want a premium, fully featured VPN
6. IPVanish: — Highly reliable for those wanting a wide choice of US servers
7. CyberGhost: — Perfect for beginners, thanks to its labeled streaming servers
8. PureVPN: — Ideal for users who need to bypass censorship in restrictive countries
9. PrivateVPN: — A low-cost VPN with decent speeds and port forwarding

How to watch ThreeNow abroad with a VPN

To watch ThreeNow outside New Zealand, you need dependable Kiwi servers that stay ahead of streaming provider blocks. The good news? We tested the market and found several trusted providers with strong New Zealand servers that work with ThreeNow, Neon, and other Kiwi TV platforms.

Here are the steps to unblock ThreeNow with a VPN:

1. Pick a VPN that works with ThreeNow. We recommend NordVPN because it’s fast, secure, and has highly reliable New Zealand servers. Surfshark and TotalVPN are strong, budget-friendly options.
2. Subscribe to the VPN. Use our links to grab the best price. We’ve agreed on exclusive discounts for our readers. Click the link to get the best ThreeNow VPN at a lower cost.
3. Download the VPN app. The top VPNs for ThreeNow have apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV Stick, and most Smart TVs. This means you can stream on any device you prefer.
4. Install the VPN software. If you’re overseas or using a restricted network, connect to the VPN each time you want to watch ThreeNow. You can install the app on all your devices.
5. Connect to a New Zealand server. Once connected, you’ll get a working NZ IP address and can load ThreeNow normally.

That’s it! Thanks to your new streaming VPN, you can watch ThreeNow from anywhere. Be sure to clear your cookies and cache. This wipes old location data, resolving any conflicts that prevent the VPN from working.

Common ThreeNow error messages

Below, we have included streaming errors frequently reported by New Zealanders who try to access ThreeNow from overseas or on restricted networks. If you encounter any of the messages below, we recommend using a reliable VPN to get a valid New Zealand IP address.

• “The video you are trying to watch cannot be viewed from your current country” (geo-block error often seen by users outside New Zealand).​
• “There was an error loading the video. The video may not be available in your area, or if you are currently connected to a VPN, disconnect from it and try again.” (sometimes appears for legitimate NZ users as well due to network or VPN issues).​
• “404 video found” or “this is encrypted, and we don’t know how to decrypt it” (reported on browsers and TV devices; may be caused by unsupported formats or poor network connections).​
• “Unable to register or log in” (website or app account issues, especially during updates).​
• Streaming hangs for 10 minutes, then freezes, or playback never loads at all (permanent loading wheel)
• App boots up, but nothing plays when you select a show or episode.

These real-world errors reflect common problems with geo-restrictions, network settings, VPN or DNS conflicts, and device compatibility. If you encounter any of these issues, you should start using a VPN or switch to a more reliable VPN provider (if ThreeNow is detecting your current VPN).

ThreeNow not working with a VPN? Troubleshooting tips

The VPNs in this guide have been thoroughly tested. They all work to watch ThreeNow outside New Zealand. Already using a fully tested ThreeNow VPN? You made the right choice! Use the steps below to get the VPN working smoothly with your ThreeNow account.

VPN won’t load ThreeNow? Try these fixes:

• Use a browser instead of the ThreeNow app. The ThreeNow app uses device-level location services that may conflict with your VPN. Watching ThreeNow through Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari avoids GPS and helps your VPN run smoothly.
• Switch to another New Zealand server. Always try to use the best New Zealand VPN server for streaming. You can ask live chat support to find out which one works best to unblock ThreeNow.
• Sign out and sign back into your free ThreeNow account. As long as your VPN is connected to a valid Kiwi IP address, you are ready to log in and stream your account. Any problems? Sign out of ThreeNow and log back in with your VPN connected.
• Restart your device. If you recently installed or updated your VPN, a quick reboot will force a reload of the VPN drivers. This often fixes streaming errors on ThreeNow.
• Change your VPN protocol. We advise using a fast VPN protocol like WireGuard, OpenVPN, NordLynx, or IKEv2. These perform better for Live TV and streaming because they are optimized to prevent buffering.
• Reinstall the VPN app. If your VPN has been installed for a long time, uninstall it and download the latest version from the official website. A fresh installation ensures you are using the latest protocols and servers.

How we chose the best VPNs for ThreeNow

We test VPNs all year round, and our goal is simple: find services that let you stream ThreeNow smoothly, privately, and without any hassle. To do this, we run hands-on checks that mirror real use in New Zealand and abroad. We look at speed, privacy, unblocking power, and how easy the apps are to use on everyday devices.

Here’s what we look for when testing VPNs for ThreeNow:

• Fast New Zealand servers. ThreeNow is region-locked to New Zealand, so your VPN must offer reliable Kiwi servers. We test VPN servers at different times of day to make sure you can stream HD content without buffering, even during busy hours.
• Reliable unblocking. A reliable ThreeNow VPN must consistently bypass geo-restrictions. We test each provider with ThreeNow, TVNZ+, Neon, and other local Kiwi services to confirm everything loads normally (without errors or other drawbacks such as buffering).
• Strong privacy and security. If you plan to watch ThreeNow at work, school, or on public wifi, privacy is crucial. We test the VPN encryption, no-logs claims, leak protection, kill switches, and overall app security. A VPN must protect your activities against tracking by local networks and ISPs.
• Easy-to-use apps. We prefer VPNs that are simple to install on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Firestick, and Smart TVs. Clear menus, streaming-optimized servers, and reliable auto-connect settings make a huge difference for beginners.
• Outstanding value. We compare pricing, device limits, and money-back guarantees to ensure you’re not overpaying. A generous refund period means you can test the VPN with ThreeNow risk-free.

Why is ThreeNow blocked overseas?

ThreeNow only licenses content for New Zealand. These broadcast agreements require ThreeNow to use geo-restrictions that prevent people outside the country from loading videos.

When you travel overseas (on vacation or for work), your IP address changes. This causes ThreeNow to display a location error message.

To watch ThreeNow outside New Zealand, you need a reliable method to digitally ‘travel’ back to New Zealand. The good news? We’ve found a few VPNs that can help you change your IP address.

Our recommendations offer apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Smart TVs. This makes it easy to watch ThreeNow outside of New Zealand – using whichever device you happen to own.

Can I watch ThreeNow abroad with a free VPN?

No. We tested the most popular free VPNs, and none of them offer New Zealand servers that work with ThreeNow. Free VPNs have very limited server locations, which makes them slow, overcrowded, and easy for streaming platforms to block.

Even if a free VPN loads the ThreeNow website, HD playback will struggle due to heavy congestion from thousands of users sharing the same servers. Streaming requires fast connections, and trusted VPNs with a free plan restrict their high-speed streaming servers to paid users. This lets people test the service for free, but still encourages upgrades to access faster servers.

This means you would need to upgrade to a paid plan with services like ProtonVPN or Hotspot Shield to watch ThreeNow; their free versions won’t work. And if you need to pay, the providers in this guide offer better long-term value and more reliable access to New Zealand TV platforms.

Security and privacy are also major concerns. While the reputable free VPNs can help stop local networks, ISPs, and government snoops from monitoring you, you must be extremely picky. Studies show that many free VPN apps leak data, use weak encryption, collect logs, or hide trackers. A few even contain spyware.

Using these VPNs is a serious risk to both your privacy and the security of your devices. This is why you must research any free VPN carefully before installing it, even if it has good reviews – most users have no idea they’re using a VPN that doesn’t actually offer real privacy.

Watch ThreeNow outside of NZ FAQs