How to Watch HBO Max in New Zealand [2025 Guide]

Who wouldn’t want access to streaming service to watch Succession, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos or Curb Your Enthusiasm two clicks away.

If you feel the same, you would be invested about how to watch HBO Max in New Zealand. The service is limited to USA, Latin America, and Caribbean region.

Who can imagine missing out on highly creative projects like The White Lotus, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and Hacks.

The FOMO can get anyone. And no one should be missing out on all the creative and stellar content planned throughout the year.

Here is how to watch HBO Max in New Zealand. Have a look at some key takeaways of this complete guide.

Key Takeaways:

• HBO Max is not available in New Zealand.
• Kiwis can use Smart DNS or VPN to access HBO Max in New Zealand.
• With testing and experience with both – VPN is easier and reliable option.
• A USA virtual prepaid card would solve the subscription problem.

Why is HBO Max Not Available to Watch in New Zealand?

HBO Max hasn’t expanded its reign of service in other countries due to the complexities of content licensing.

This is why, whenever Kiwis try to watch HBO Max NZ, they are hit by the following error:

There is an elaborate process of acquiring the license for every show and movie that airs on the streaming service.

This can become quite a tardy, elaborate, and resource-consuming process. Hence, the streaming service is only restricted to a few regions.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

There are tools and methods you can use to access HBO Max in New Zealand..

Best Ways to Watch HBO Max in New Zealand (Easy Methods)

Kiwis need two things to watch HBO Max in New Zealand:

• A reliable VPN that can unblock HBO Max
• Max subscription

Once you subscribe to a VPN, now follow the mentioned below steps to sign up for HBO Max in New Zealand.

How to Watch HBO Max in New Zealand using VPN?

VPN is one of the easiest ways to access HBO Max in New Zealand. VPN, also known as Virtual Private Network hoodwinks the security by masking your IP address.

For instance, your New Zealander IP address will appear as the US IP address and let you in on the HBO Max website.

Follow these steps and get access to HBO Max:

• Get a plan of a reliable VPN service. I recommend ExpressVPN.
• Once downloaded, connect and sign in.
• After you are logged in, look for US servers.
• Proceed to the HBO Max website and click on ‘sign in.’ The payment is the tricky part which can be tackled using US prepaid card, such as Statescard.
• Now that you are connected, there is tons to watch on HBO Max.

How to Watch HBO Max in New Zealand using Smart DNS?

Smart DNS works differently from a VPN. It tweaks only that bit of your connection which tackles with location. The rest of the connection remains unaltered.

Here is how to stream HBO Max in New Zealand using Smart DNS:

• Sign up using a reliable Smart DNS service. Unlocator and SmartDNSProxy are good options you can explore.
• Set up the connection by following the instructions. You can check the website or YouTube channel for detailed instructions.
• After finishing the setup, proceed to the HBO Max website or application to sign in. Time to stream HBO Max’s amazing content in New Zealand.

How to Sign Up for HBO Max NZ with Non-US Payment Method?

Getting HBO Max in New Zealand is a bit tricky but not impossible. Max requires a US payment method such as a credit/debit card or American PayPal account to sign up.

But in case, if you don’t have an American payment option, you can use the following methods to sign up for the HBO Max NZ account:

Method 1 – Using US Virtual Prepaid Card (Recommended)

You can use this US virtual prepaid card to get an HBO Max subscription in NZ:

1. First, head to the StatesPay website and click on the “Sign up” option to create a US virtual prepaid card.
2. Now enter all the relevant information to register your account.
3. Once you created your StatesPay account, now you can add funds through your Master and Visa debit or credit card or PayPal account.
4. Now connect to the US server using a VPN and head to the HBO Max website.
5. Click on the “Sign Up Now” button.
6. Now choose your plan.
7. Once you choose your plan, enter all the required information and click “Create Account.”
8. Now for payment visit account.statescard.com, sign in, and click on “Show Card Details.”
9. Enter your US virtual card details on the HBO Max website and Voilà!

Note: Make sure that your billing address and shipping address are the same. Otherwise, Max won’t let you sign up even with the US virtual prepaid card

Method 2 – Ask Your American Friend/Family to Get an HBO Max Subscription

If you don’t want to US virtual card, you can ask your friend or family who lives in America to get an HBO Max subscription for you using their American credit/debit card or PayPal account.

Now, you have an HBO Max account in New Zealand, let’s see how to stream:

1. Connect to the US server using a VPN.
2. Now make sure that your device location is off.
3. Visit the HBO Max website, sign in, and start streaming in NZ.

How to Download HBO Max NZ app on your devies?

How to Download HBO Max App in New Zealand on your PC/Laptop? (Both Windows & Mac)

There is no need to download the HBO Max app if you want to watch it on your PC/laptop since you can watch it directly on its official website using a browser.

Here’s how to watch HBO Max in New Zealand on a PC/Laptop:

1. Connect to the US server with the help of a VPN – We used ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
2. Now make sure your laptop/PC location is off.
3. Visit the HBO Max website, sign in, and start streaming.

How to Download HBO Max App on Android Devices in New Zealand?

Follow the steps to easily download and watch Max on your Android phones, tablets, and TV:

1. First, open the VPN app on your Android device and connect to the USA server.
2. Now open the Play Store app and tap on the 3 bars located on the top left of the screen.
3. Go to the “Account” section where you will find your name and country.
4. Now select the USA as your country and enter all the required details.
5. Once your region changes to the USA, you can download the HBO Max app and start streaming in New Zealand.

How to Get HBO Max App in New Zealand on iPhone/iPad?

Here’s how to download the HBO Max app on your iPhone/iPad in New Zealand:

1. First, go to “Settings” on your iOS device, and click on your profile.
2. Now tap on “Media & Purchases”, then tap on “View Account”. It will ask for your “Passcode” or “Touch ID” for verification. Enter your “Passcode” or “Touch ID”.
3. Now tap on “Country/Region” → “Change Country or Region”, then select the United States as your country.
4. Once you select the United States, the “Terms and Conditions” page will open. Select “Agree” to proceed.
5. Now enter all the required details. In the address section, you need to provide a USA address and postal code. Kiwis can use this information (Street: 3157 Monroe Avenue, City: Palmetto, State: Florida, Postal Code: 34221, phone number: 904-208-8753).
6. Now enter “Done” and wait for the process.
7. Once the process is complete, now your App Store region is changed to the USA. Go to the App Store and download the HBO Max app.
8. After downloading the Max app, open the VPN app, connect to the USA server, and start watching!

How to Get HBO Max App in New Zealand on Amazon Firestick/Fire TV?

Here’s how you can download HBO Max in New Zealand on Firestick/Fire TV device:

1. Visit the Amazon website and log in to your existing account.
2. Now click on the “Accounts & Lists” option and then click on “Your Accounts and Content”
3. Now change your region to the USA from New Zealand.
4. Connect your Amazon Firestick device with your TV and then click on “Settings”.
5. Log out or deregister your account and then sign in back.
6. Now download the HBO Max app and VPN app from App Store.
7. Open the VPN app and connect to the USA server.
8. Open the Max app and start watching.

How to Get HBO Max in NZ on Roku, Apple TV, and Smart TV?

Watching HBO Max on Roku, Apple TV and Smart TV in New Zealand is complicated since these devices do not support a VPN app.

Though you can watch HBO Max on these devices by setting VPN virtual router, smart DNS or directly setting it up on your home router, we don’t recommend it because you need technical knowledge for it.

If you want to watch HBO Max in New Zealand on a bigger screen, we recommend using devices like Amazon Firestick/Fire TV that support VPN.

Best VPN for HBO Max in New Zealand

NordVPN – Recommended VPN to Unblock HBO Max in NZ

ExpressVPN – Best VPN for HBO Max NZ

Surfshark – Reliable VPN to Stream Max in NZ

How Much Does HBO Max Cost in NZ

For HBO Max, there are three plans available which are “With-Ads”, “Ad-Free” and “Ultimate Ad-Free”. For the “With-Ads” plan, you have to pay $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year. You have to pay $16.99 a month or $169.99 a year for the “Ad-Free” plan.

As far as the “Ultimate Ad-Free plan” is concerned, it will cost you around $20.99 a month or $209.99 per annum.

Note: If you want to know about the cost of Max, you should read our guide on the topic “HBO Max Cost in New Zealand“. Also, those who don’t want to continue their HBO Max subscription should read our “HBO Max Subscription Cancellation Guide“.

Also, if you want to know whether Max offers a free trial or not, please read our “HBO Max Free Trial Guide“.

Why Using a Free VPN is a Bad Idea to Watch HBO Max in New Zealand?

Watching HBO Max in New Zealand with a free VPN is almost impossible because of the following reasons:

• Unlike premium VPNs, free VPNs offer limited bandwidth that won’t let you stream HBO Max for an appropriate period of time.
• Free VPN also offers limited servers that are mostly blocked or blacklisted by the streaming services like HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more.
• If in any case, a free VPN allows you to access Max, you can’t stream the content in HD or 4K quality.
• In terms of security, free VPNs are way behind compared to premium VPNs since they sell your data to third parties and social media companies to run their business.

These are the reasons why using a free VPN is a bad idea to watch HBO Max or any other streaming service in New Zealand.

Where Can I Watch HBO Max in New Zealand

• Windows 
• Mac 
• iOS
• Android 
• Android TV
• Apple TV
• Amazon Fire TV & Fire tablets
• PlayStation 4 and 5
• Xbox One and Series X|S
• Roku
• Google Chromecast
• Samsung TV (minimum 2016 model)

HBO Max vs. Other Streaming Services     

Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are some of the competitiors of HBO Max.

All streaming comes with its pros and cons. Some have great video quality, multiple screens, and price. The overall value is assessed on these factors.

Max stands out in the array of content for its Max Original content. Plus, you get to stream Warner Bros and DC movies and series, which are not available on other platforms.

HBO Max is definitely pricier than contemporaries but then those who crave the best original and quality content know the price they must pay for content.

Last five years have been evidently amazing in terms of the ‘Max Original’ content.

Series like The Flight Attendant, And Just Like That, The Sopranos, Hacks, Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, The Last of Us, The Penguin, House of Dragon, The White Lotus, Euphoria, Harley Quinn, Somebody Somewhere, Succession, The Other Two are some of the shows you absolutely cannot miss.

FAQs

Conclusion

That was an extensive one, hopefully, this will help answer all your questions and get you to stream the best shows on one of the most happening streaming services in America, HBO Max in New Zealand.

If you have any more questions, feel free to comment below, and our team will get back to you. 

Sebastian Petrosi CEO/Chief Editor

Sebastian Petrosi, Editor of various cord cutting websites, founded Howtostream.co.nz in 2019. With a Masters’s degree in communications, Sebastian specializes in gathering details, checking facts, and writing easy to understand cord cutting guides. In addition to writing articles and testing and reviewing softwares, Sebastian is a digital nomad who loves to travel, play games and binge watch his favorite shows over the weekends.

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