New Zealand gained HBO Max in June 2026, and Disney+ there has a Hulu section, so part of the American catalog is now available locally. Peacock, YouTube TV, and the NBC, ABC, and CBS websites remain US-only. On the West Coast servers closest to New Zealand, NordVPN was the quickest VPN and unblocked Hulu. Proton VPN unblocked Peacock but not Hulu, and ExpressVPN covers the most devices per plan.
American Channels in New Zealand: October 2026 Checklist
- Subscribe to NordVPN and set it up on each screen you stream on.
- Connect through the West Coast, using a Los Angeles or Seattle server.
- Start Peacock or a network’s live stream in your browser.
- Keep a US card ready for new Hulu or YouTube TV sign-ups.
Connecting to US TV From New Zealand
Connect to a West Coast server, load the channel’s website, and start the stream. Los Angeles and Seattle are the nearest mainland US cities to New Zealand. Proton VPN users should choose Seattle, where its server was far quicker than its Los Angeles one. We tested from Europe. US websites judge location by IP address, so the same unblocking applies from Auckland or Wellington.
The 24-hour news channels from ABC and CBS are free, and NBC and PBS also play without signing in. Peacock’s sign-up page loaded on the three VPNs, but checkout accepts US payment cards only, so an account opened in the US is the simplest way in. US primetime falls around midday in New Zealand: an 8 p.m.
Eastern show airs between noon and 2 p.m. the next day, depending on daylight saving time. Deleting the site’s cookies or changing the server usually removes a region message that appears after connecting.
What New Zealand Streams Without a VPN
- HBO Max: on sale since June 16, 2026, as its own app and through Prime Video Channels. Sky and Neon lost the HBO catalog when it launched.
- Disney+: its Star section became a Hulu section in October 2025, bringing Hulu and FX series to New Zealand subscribers.
- Paramount+: not sold in New Zealand. Sky has an exclusive deal for Paramount+, CBS, and Showtime series on Neon, and live CBS remains on the US version of Paramount+.
- Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV: operate with local catalogs that differ from the US libraries.
- US-only: Sling TV, Peacock, Hulu’s US service, YouTube TV, and the network websites.
Los Angeles and Seattle Speeds
Download speeds from our October round, on a Windows 11 PC in Europe, measuring 190.36 Mbps with the VPN off.
| VPN | Los Angeles download | Seattle download | NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, Fox (Seattle) | Hulu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 176.23 Mbps | 167.17 Mbps | Unblocked | Unblocked |
| Proton VPN | 75.03 Mbps | 140.02 Mbps | Unblocked | Blocked |
| ExpressVPN | 142.85 Mbps | 137.99 Mbps | Unblocked | Unblocked |
Best VPNs for US TV in New Zealand
- NordVPN: Best for Hulu and Live US TV, with Smart DNS for Samsung and LG sets.
- Proton VPN: Best for Peacock and Netflix US, on its faster Seattle server.
- ExpressVPN: Best for Larger Households, covering up to 14 devices.
1. NordVPN: Best for Hulu and Live US TV
Pros
- Many US city choices
- Linux desktop app
- Scam call protection
Cons
- Connection issues on Windows
- Renewal price hike
NordVPN’s Los Angeles server recorded 176.23 Mbps, the quickest West Coast figure in our tests, and it unblocked Peacock and Hulu. Its Smart DNS works on Samsung and LG TVs, which don’t support VPN apps, so a living-room set can stream US services without a router setup.
Our one fault came on Windows 11: with ExpressVPN also installed, NordVPN sometimes wouldn’t connect, and a diagnostics check followed by a fresh sign-in fixed it. NordVPN’s Basic plan costs less than $3.50 a month for the first 27 months, then renews at about $11.60 a month.
2. Proton VPN: Best for Peacock and Netflix US
Pros
- Chrome extension included
- Modest renewal price
- US servers by state
Cons
- Weak Los Angeles result
- No Hulu access
Proton VPN’s Seattle server measured 140.02 Mbps, while its Los Angeles server came in at 75.03 Mbps at 12% load. It unblocked Peacock, HBO Max’s US catalog, and Netflix US, and every free network stream we tried played on its Seattle server. Hulu blocked it on the US servers we used. A two-year VPN Plus subscription is about $72, and renewal is close to $7 a month.
3. ExpressVPN: Best for Larger Households
Pros
- Extra devices on higher plans
- eSIM data on Advanced
- Email relay included
Cons
- Advanced Protection limits protocols
- No tracker blocking on Basic
ExpressVPN’s Advanced plan covers 12 devices, and Express Pro covers 14, compared to 10 on NordVPN’s and Proton VPN’s plans. Its Los Angeles server came in at 142.85 Mbps, and neither Hulu nor Peacock detected it. Enabling Advanced Protection disables WireGuard and OpenVPN, leaving Automatic and Lightway as the only protocols. Over 28 months, the Advanced plan costs under $4.50 a month, while Express Pro, with 14 devices, is about $7.50.
Summary
Hulu subscribers should use NordVPN. Proton VPN failed to unblock Hulu, and NordVPN’s West Coast servers were quicker than ExpressVPN’s. For Peacock and Netflix US with a smaller renewal bill, Proton VPN works through its Seattle server. A family with more than 10 devices streaming at once fits ExpressVPN best.
US expats in New Zealand can also check our broader guide to watching American TV abroad. Kiwis overseas can reverse the setup with an Auckland server, which unblocked TVNZ+ on the three VPNs. Our guide shows how to watch TVNZ programs abroad. Our ranking of the best VPN for New Zealand users covers everyday privacy at home.
FAQs
Can I watch Peacock in New Zealand?
No, Peacock is limited to US viewers, and new accounts require a US payment card. Existing subscribers can sign in from New Zealand after connecting to a US server.
Is HBO Max available in New Zealand?
Yes, HBO Max has its own app in New Zealand and can also be added to a Prime Video subscription. HBO series are no longer on Sky or Neon.
Can I get Paramount+ in New Zealand?
No, Paramount+ has no New Zealand version. Its originals and CBS series stream on Neon instead, through Sky's exclusive agreement with Paramount.
Are VPNs legal in New Zealand?
Yes, New Zealand law doesn't restrict VPN use. A US streaming service can still suspend an account for breaking its terms of use.