“Netflix and chill” has become a world phenomenon. People worldwide are now tuning into the popular streaming service that got its start more than 20 years ago.
The only problem is that the Netflix in America is not the same as the Netflix in other places of the world, like New Zealand.
The number of titles available with American Netflix greatly drowns out the number available through the New Zealand edition, which is why so many New Zealand natives are learning how to unblock the American Netflix and tune in from across the globe.
American Netflix is typically geo-blocked, meaning it is not available in specific locations through a regular Internet connection. Fortunately, through technologies like virtual private networks, New Zealand natives can figure out the Netflix unblock methods and watch their favorite American shows from the comfort of their own homes.
If you are traveling to New Zealand soon and want to know how to get American Netflix in NZ, you’ve come to the right place. We can walk you through the easy steps of unblocking American Netflix in NZ using VPNs and Smart DNS servers.
Though it may sound confusing or overwhelming, the process is simple. Soon enough, you’ll know how to watch US Netflix from anywhere you go.
Why Should I Try To Access US Netflix?
Even though Netflix is available in over 190 countries around the world, the quality and content of what is available on the network differ significantly from place to place.
Netflix came to New Zealand in 2015, which makes it relatively new compared to the 1997 launch in California of the United States. Though the New Zealand Netflix offers various shows and movies, the American Netflix offers a much wider and more updated variety of titles.
Netflix in America features more than 4,000 movies and 1,600 TV shows. Netflix in New Zealand only has around 1,500 movies and 500 TV shows. This means that American Netflix includes more than 4,000 additional titles than the New Zealand Netflix offers, which is why the American version of Netflix is much more desirable to the average consumer.
The titles included in the New Zealand version of Netflix are still worth watching. Still, they are often outdated and overshadowed by the options available from the American version of Netflix.
If you could easily watch US Netflix in NZ, why wouldn’t you? There would be many more options for TV shows and movies to choose from, making your viewing experience that much better!
Read below to find out how to unblock US Netflix and get US Netflix in NZ in just a few simple steps!
Two Ways To Get American Netflix in New Zealand
You cannot simply log onto the American Netflix when you are outside of the United States of America. Usually, whatever country you are in will cause the Internet to redirect you to that location’s Netflix automatically.
Access to American Netflix in a country outside of America takes a little extra time and some additional supplies, but it’s still possible.
Two ways to access US Netflix in New Zealand:
- VPN. A VPN, or a Virtual Private Network, will grant access to American Netflix, even if you are not currently in America by hiding your location.
- Smart DNS. A Smart DNS, or a Smart Domain Name Server, unblocks sites restricted based on geographic location.
Below, we will walk through a step-by-step process of both methods so you can see the process of how to get American Netflix in NZ. Neither process is too challenging to complete; it requires attention to detail and an understanding of the technologies you are using.
Accessing American Netflix With a VPN
A VPN permits you to access and connect anonymously with another network over the Internet. The network you connect to may be located somewhere other than where you currently are, which would allow you to bypass the geographic restrictions that may be in place.
The VPN servers you use while in New Zealand can connect to an American ISP, or an Internet Service Provider that is literally located in America. Since the provider is in America, users can access all the websites they would generally be able to access in America from virtually anywhere in the world.
VPN’s are also commonly used by frequent travelers to protect their information while abroad. If you use a VPN, you are protected from snoopers who may try to access your information via public Wi-Fi hot spots. VPN’s also grant users some anonymity while browsing because the data is encrypted, which means the location of the user is unavailable.
If you are in New Zealand and are trying to access American Netflix, VPN’s are the best choice if you will be using a PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone to watch your show or movie. VPN’s do not work well with gaming stations like PlayStation or Xbox because of the type of connection required.
How To Use a VPN to Access American Netflix in NZ
Understanding how to use a VPN in New Zealand goes beyond typing “Netflix VPN NZ” in your search bar. Though the process itself is not difficult, it’s important to note the differences in VPN services, both for cost and security reasons.
Below are four easy steps on how to watch American Netflix in NZ using a VPN.
Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN Service
To use a VPN to watch American Netflix outside of America, you have to subscribe to a VPN service like Surfshark, ExpressVPN or CyberGhost.
Surfshark and CyberGhost are both have dedicated streaming servers that are commonly used to access Netflix and other American streaming services that are otherwise unavailable.
Both CyberGhost and Surfshark are known for bypassing geo-restrictions strictly for streaming purposes, which makes either of them a good option for accessing American Netflix in New Zealand.
ExpressVPN is another secure and high-speed choice that will reliably unblock American Netflix from places outside of the United States. There is no such thing as a Netflix VPN, but this is one of the best VPN for Netflix because the company is frequently used all over the world for streaming. ExpressVPN currently has over 160 locations of extremely fast VPN servers spread throughout 94 countries.
The best VPN NZ residents can use to access geo-blocked streaming services is likely one of these three VPN networks.
Once connected to any of the VPN NZ servers located within the United States, you can access American Netflix from New Zealand or many other places in the world. The Netflix VPN that works best for you to stream American movies and television may not be the best option for everyone, depending on the device they are using and the price they are willing to pay.
VPN prices can vary from around $2 per month up to $10 per month, depending on the length of the plan and the type of VPN. Most VPN websites also have a free trial option, so you can experiment with the service before deciding which one is best for you.
Each of these three VPN service providers are secure and reliable for streaming purposes outside of the United States.
Step 2: Download And Run VPN App
Once you have decided on a VPN server that works for you, you’ll want to purchase and download the application so it can run on your computer.
VPN will increase your data usage and require some space on your computer in order to function correctly. Data usage of your device increases when a VPN is used because the VPN is encrypting your information. The encrypted information is protected from being accessed on a public network.
Step 3: Connect to a Server in the United States
Once the application has been completely downloaded, open the application, and connect to a server within the United States.
Most American servers will support Netflix streaming, but try to verify that the server you select supports streaming before connecting.
You can verify if you are connected to the American server by searching a website that you know to be geo-protected in your area. If you are correctly using a New Zealand VPN that is connected to an American server, you will be able to access American Netflix.
Step 4: Start Streaming
Once you have connected your VPN to an American server, your online experience should mimic the experience you would have in America, even if you are in New Zealand.
Now, you can leisurely scroll through the Netflix US catalogue from the comfort of your couch in New Zealand. American Netflix in NZ is now totally possible after just a few simple steps.
Accessing American Netflix With Smart DNS
If you don’t want to try using a VPN to access American Netflix, a Smart DNS proxy is another way that has worked for many people all over the world.
A Smart DNS is another safe and legal way to access US Netflix from New Zealand or any other country where American Netflix is blocked.
Smart DNS technology is used specifically to dodge geo-blocked restrictions on streaming services like Netflix.
If you use a Smart DNS, you are essentially blocking off your location from view so websites that are normally geo-locked think you are somewhere within the appropriate range. This Netflix unblock tool has been used more and more often across the country as Netflix has attempted to geo-block many countries from accessing American Netflix.
SmartDNS is the recommended method to use to access American Netflix while abroad if you want to stream shows and movies on your Smart TV, PS4 or XBOX.
How To Use Smart DNS to Access American Netflix in NZ
Using a Smart DNS is not quite as simplistic as using a VPN, but the process can still work if done correctly.
If you have never used a Smart DNS Proxy before, you will need to pay special attention to the download instructions required of each proxy service provider. As long as you follow the instructions, you will understand how to watch US Netflix in NZ in no time.
Below are the three easy steps for using a Smart DNS to get American Netflix in NZ.
Step 1: Set Up an Account With a Smart DNS Proxy Service Provider
The first thing you will want to do is find a Smart DNS Proxy Service Provider that you feel comfortable setting up an account with. Most provider services offer a free trial that expires after a certain time period.
Our recommended Smart DNS service is the NordVPN Smart DNS. When you set up an account on the site, you will be instructed on how to whitelist your IP address so your location cannot be tracked or used to block you from a streaming website.
You’ll want to use your gaming console, Smart TV, or other device that you wish to watch Netflix on to make the account and download the service.
Step 2: Install the Smart DNS Proxy Service on Your Device
Once you have signed up with a Smart DNS service, you will be given a Primary and Secondary DNS server address. This is the address you will enter on your device to confuse other networks about your location.
The download and installation instructions for properly setting up your Smart DNS service will differ greatly from device to device, so it’s important to remain consistent with your devices throughout the entire process.
The exact setup instructions for every DNS Proxy Service you could use are often found on the website in a highlighted area.
For example, if you are using your XBox to access US Netflix in NZ using a DNS proxy service provider, you will need to navigate to the ‘Advanced Settings’ on your XBox. From there, you select ‘DNS Settings’ and ‘Manual Entry’ to enter the provided Primary and Secondary DNS server addresses.
Step 3: Enter the American URL and Start Streaming
As soon as the provided Primary and Secondary DNS server addresses have been accepted and recognized, you will be able to access all of the previously geo-blocked websites.
Simply type in “www.netflix.com” into the search bar to access the Netflix US content from New Zealand. You will now be able to search and watch any of the thousands of shows and movies available on the US catalogue, even if those titles are not available in the New Zealand catalogue.
What if Unblocking Netflix Doesn’t Work?
Whether you are using a VPN or a Smart DNS, there is always a chance that something could go wrong and your request will not be received correctly. If you are unable to access American Netflix in New Zealand using either of the methods listed above, there are a few things you can try to remedy the problem.
First, if using a VPN, attempt connecting to a different server that is still within the United States. Sometimes, servers can become temporarily bogged down and slow from too many users, which would make it very difficult to access a streaming service abroad.
If various servers available through one VPN continue to cause issues, you can consider waiting 24 hours to see if the problem subsides.
If that tactic does not work, the only other option is to switch VPN servers. If you do find yourself in the position where you have to switch, you can always contact the VPN server network you tried to use to tell them about your issue. Sometimes, a representative from the website may be able to assist you with the problem.
VPN vs. Smart DNS
Though both VPN servers and Smart DNS proxy servers are used to get around geo-blocked websites, they work in different ways and can lead to different results for the user.
The main difference between VPN and Smart DNS servers is the way your location is masked. VPNs hide your IP address entirely, while a Smart DNS will mask your original DNS address.
VPNs are also much more secure than DNS servers because they almost always encrypt your online traffic information. The encryption and the hidden IP addresses make VPNs a more secure network than Smart DNS servers because they are much more difficult to hack or access from an outside network.
Smart DNS servers, on the other hand, offer speed over security. Smart DNS servers are generally much faster than VPNs because they are not bogged down from the encryption process. Smart DNS servers can work with almost any device, but they work significantly better and faster when used with Smart TVs or game station consoles like the XBox and PlayStation.
VPNs do not work well on gaming consoles, but they are the preferred method if you are using a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Though it is okay to use either a VPN or Smart DNS to access Netflix in New Zealand, it is generally safer and more secure to do it through a VPN.
Conclusion
Watching Netflix has become a phenomenon throughout the entire country. The only issue is that it is not the same experience everywhere you go.
Because the American version of Netflix has such a large variety of titles when compared with Netflix from other countries, people throughout the world have found ways to get around the geo-blocked restrictions.
If you are in New Zealand and want to watch The Office or any other American Netflix exclusive show, you will have to purchase a VPN and access it that way or go through a Smart DNS proxy server. As of now, there are no other ways to access American Netflix while abroad.
The main thing you should remember when using either of these methods is that following instructions is key to ensuring your connection is secure and reliable.
Once you have mastered how to connect a VPN or Smart DNS, you will be set to stream to your heart’s content, even among the beautiful greenery of New Zealand. Happy streaming!