Are VPNs Legal in New Zealand? 

Looking for a way to browse the internet without compromising your online safety or privacy? Want to watch your favorite New Zealand shows while you’re traveling abroad without geo-restrictions getting in your way?

A virtual private network (VPN) makes that all possible, but before you start using one, you might be wondering: Are VPNs legal in New Zealand?

The good news is that VPNs are legal in New Zealand as long as you aren’t using them to engage in illegal activities.

Keep reading to find your perfect New Zealand VPN.

Key takeaways

1. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are legal in New Zealand.
2. Using a quality VPN in New Zealand protects you from government surveillance, hackers, and snoops.
3. A premium VPN gives you access to geo-restricted websites in New Zealand and around the world.
4. My top-pick VPN for New Zealand is ExpressVPN.

State of Censorship in New Zealand

New Zealand has one of the most open internet environments in the world, and while Internet censorship isn’t a problem, that doesn’t mean there are no limits on what you can access online.

New Zealand laws permit limited Internet censorship in cases of national security, child protection, and counterterrorism.

The Government Communications Security Bureau is New Zealand’s intelligence agency responsible for signals intelligence, cybersecurity, and counterintelligence.

While the agency plays a key role in NZ national security it’s anti-spying rules are pretty loose when it comes to internet traffic, essentially allowing then to legally spy on you.

VPNs are legal in New Zealand and are an effective way for the privacy-conscious to protect themselves from unwanted government surveillance.

Are VPNs legal in New Zealand?

Yes! VPN use is legal in New Zealand.

Reasons to use a VPN in New Zealand

Not only are VPNs legal in NZ, but they are a great way to secure and enhance your online experience. Here are some of the reasons:

• Online privacy. New Zealand can legally spy on you. A quality VPN sends all of your data through an encrypted tunnel, protecting you from the government’s prying eyes.
• Government Communications Security Bureau laws. On top of its lax anti-spying rules, this NZ bureau has a history of violating individual privacy rights. You don’t have to worry about that when you use a VPN with military-grade encryption and a zero-logs policy.
• Cybersecurity. A good VPN is your best line of defense against hackers. It’s especially important when you’re on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi.
• Access geo-restricted content. A VPN can virtually change your location online, allowing you to access geo-restricted content on all of your favorite streaming services. It’s perfect for travelers looking to watch their favorite shows from home while they are on the go.
• Safe torrenting. A secure VPN helps keep you safe when you’re engaging in P2P file-sharing with strangers online. Keep in mind, while VPNs are legal in New Zealand, pirating copyrighted material is against the law.

What is the best VPN to use in NZ?

Here’s what I look for when I’m choosing the best VPN for New Zealand.

• Privacy and security. Protect yourself from prying eyes by getting a VPN with military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and leak protection.
• Speed. Look for a fast VPN so you can enjoy flawless streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
• Geo-spoofing. Select a VPN known for its ability to bypass strong geo-blocks.
• Server network. A big server network provides the best access to geo-restricted websites worldwide and prevents slowdowns from overcrowded servers.
• Compatibility. Choose a VPN with intuitively designed apps for your home and mobile devices.
• Customer support. I highly recommend getting a VPN that comes with 24/7 live chat support and at least a 30-day trial period.

3 best VPNs to use in NZ

Here are my top 3 picks for the best New Zealand VPNs:

1. ExpressVPN

Blazing-fast speeds, a secure connection, easy-to-use apps, and unbeatable geo-spoofing capabilities make ExpressVPN my top-pick VPN service for New Zealand.

Features: This premium VPN service comes with 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand, 24/7 live chat support, and plenty of extras like split tunneling, ad blocking, malware protection, and a password manager.

Speed: When I tested ExpressVPN’s speed, I held on to 97% of my baseline download speed using the quick connect feature, fast enough for a flawless internet experience.

Privacy and security: You get the gold standard in privacy protection with ExpressVPN’s military-level encryption, no-logs policy, and strong leak protection.

Performance: I use ExpressVPN for all of my online activities, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting, and am impressed by its strong performance.

Streaming: I can access geo-blocked content on all of my favorite streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more!

Compatibility: Whether you’re using iOS, macOS, Linux, Android, or Windows, ExpressVPN has an intuitively designed app for your device, and you can connect 8 devices simultaneously!

Pricing: Subscription costs begin at $4.99/month plus 4 months free. You’ve got 30 days to cancel and get your money back.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is a premium VPN service without a premium price tag, offering fast, secure, and reliable access to the Internet.

Features: NordVPN comes with all the features I want, including a vast network of 7,300+ servers in 118 countries, including New Zealand, 24/7 live chat support, ad blocking, malware protection, split tunneling, dark web monitoring, dedicated IP addresses, and more.

Speed: I held on to 98% of my baseline download speed using the quick connect feature. With speeds like that, you can count on a seamless Internet experience.

Privacy and security: All NordVPN Internet traffic is protected by military-level encryption, strong leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy.

Performance: I found that NordVPN performs well for all online activities, including streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

Streaming: You can use NordVPN to bypass geo-blocks on all the major streaming services including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more!

Compatibility: The apps are easy to use with the iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux operating systems. Connect up to 10 devices at once on a single account!

Pricing: The basic 2-year plan is priced at $3.39/month. You’ve got 30 days to try it out, and if you aren’t fully satisfied, just cancel and get a full refund.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark proves the point that you don’t have to spend a lot for a reliable and secure VPN provider. Plus, it comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, which can pile on the savings for large households.

Features: Don’t worry about getting a stripped-down VPN at this low price! Surfshark comes with 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, including New Zealand, 24/7 live chat support, ad blocking, malware protection, split tunneling, dark web monitoring, static IP addresses, and more!

Speed: During testing, I maintained a solid 81% of my baseline download speed using quick-connect. If you find your VPN is running slower than you’d like, customer service will help you find a faster connection.

Privacy and security: Your data is safe with Surfshark’s zero-logs policy, military-level encryption, and strong leak protection.

Performance: If there’s a lot of online traffic, you may need to switch servers to avoid slowdowns, but overall, you can count on a smooth performance for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

Streaming: With Surfshark, you can access geo-blocked content on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more!

Compatibility: The Surfshark apps are easy to use with macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux devices.

Pricing: Pay $2.19/month when you sign up for the 2-year starter package. New subscribers get 3 months free and 30 days to try it out risk-free.

FAQ

Which VPN has servers in NZ?

ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark all have servers in New Zealand.

Is it legal to use a VPN in NZ?

Yes. VPN use is legal in New Zealand.

Conclusion

Are VPNs legal in New Zealand? Absolutely!

Not only are VPNs legal in NZ, but they are the best way to get a secure and private Internet connection, even on public Wi-Fi. Plus, with the right VPN provider, you can access geo-restricted websites worldwide for endless online entertainment.

My favorite VPN for New Zealand is ExpressVPN. It’s fast, secure, private, reliable, and easy to use!