Best VPN in New Zealand – our top two choices

If you’re after the best VPN in New Zealand, we recommend NordVPN or Surfshark. They are our top choices, known for their strong encryption, large server networks, affordable subscription plans, and speed.

 

 

Why should I use a VPN in New Zealand?

New Zealand does use censorship to block users’ access to child exploitation and sexual abuse videos but otherwise, the government does not control what users can access on the Internet. Users are also not actively monitored while browsing. But while a VPN is not necessarily essential in New Zealand, users will still find many uses for it. For one, it adds an additional layer of privacy and protects from malicious parties accessing traffic. It also allows users to spoof their locations to access geo-restricted content and services (e.g. streaming services).

VPNs are completely legal in New Zealand so users can use them freely. However, there are many VPNs available, which can make choosing one rather difficult. To help users with the decision, we have narrowed down the list to two VPNs. NordVPN or Surfshark are our top contenders for the best VPN in New Zealand.

Can I use a free New Zealand VPN?

Free VPNs in general are problematic for several reasons. Firstly, it requires a lot of resources to develop a fully-fledged VPN that ensures complete privacy and security. Developers of free VPNs usually do not have the resources to develop such VPNs, which results in VPNs that lack essential security features. This puts users’ privacy and security in jeopardy.

It should also be mentioned that free VPNs keep logs of users’ online activities. Technically, all VPNs can see users’ traffic and what they do online but premium VPNs do not keep logs as that would breach users’ privacy. However, free VPNs make revenue from users’ logs. They not only keep logs but also sell them to advertisers and other parties. This is highly problematic because users use VPNs for online privacy, not to have their browsing data exposed to unknown parties.

If users want to use a free New Zealand VPN, a better option is to use a premium VPN with a free version. Many excellent premium VPNs offer limited free versions and they are a great substitute for free VPNs. These versions have limits like data caps or only a few server options but if users are looking for a free New Zealand VPN, that would be enough. However, the best VPN in New Zealand will be a premium one.

The best VPN in New Zealand

We have narrowed down the list of best VPN services in New Zealand to two VPNs, NordVPN and Surfshark.

NordVPN

• Number of servers: 6,100
• Server locations: 74 countries
• Devices supported: 6
• Free trial: 7-day free trial (has to be initiated on an Android device)

NordVPN can easily be called the best VPN in New Zealand. It’s one of the most popular VPNs, and not without reason. It offers access to a large network of servers, encrypts traffic using military-grade encryption, and even has additional features.

NordVPN has a network of over 6,100 servers in 74 countries, with VPN servers in New Zealand also available for users who need a New Zealand IP address. It also offers obfuscated servers in case users need to conceal their VPN usage. These kinds of servers are necessary when users use VPNs in countries where VPNs have been made illegal and their traffic is blocked.

When connected to a NordVPN server, traffic is encrypted using AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption algorithms. This type of military-grade encryption ensures that traffic is indecipherable and hidden from all parties, including the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and any malicious party. NordVPN has a strict zero-logs policy, which means the VPN keeps no logs of Internet activities. This has been confirmed by independent audits. The VPN also does not collect any unnecessary data, only what’s necessary to maintain an account.

One of NordVPN’s biggest strengths and what makes it the best VPN in New Zealand is its NordLynx encryption protocol. VPNs have an effect on Internet speed but the extent of the slowdown depends on several factors, including the encryption protocol. NordVPN has the NordLynx protocol, which is incredibly fast but does not compromise security. The VPN allows users to switch encryption protocols in settings but sticking to NordLynx is recommended because it’s why NordVPN is such a fast VPN in New Zealand.

If users purchase a NordVPN subscription, they will also get additional features, including an adblocker, a password manager, protection against malware, a data breach scanner, and 1TB of cloud storage. The VPN can also unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, etc.

NordVPN does not have a free New Zealand version, and a subscription is necessary to use the features. There is a free 7-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee if users want to test the program. Subscriptions are very affordable and NordVPN often has excellent discounts.

Surfshark

• Number of servers: 3,200+
• Server locations: 100+ countries
• Devices supported: Unlimited
• Free trial: 7-day free trial for Android and iOS users

Surfshark is another great contender for the best VPN in New Zealand. It’s known for being one of the cheapest VPNs available with very affordable subscriptions. However, despite having cheap subscriptions, it cuts no corners regarding security.

Surfshark allows users to choose from 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries. It also offers VPN servers in New Zealand if users need a New Zealand IP address. Traffic is encrypted using AES-256 military-grade encryption. Once encrypted, traffic will be unreadable. While Surfshark can technically see users’ traffic, it does not keep logs and has a strict zero-logs policy. This has been proven by audits performed by independent parties.

Surfshark is a fast VPN in New Zealand and there should not be issues with downloading files or streaming content. If users want a VPN to stream, Surfshark unblocks all popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, etc. To unblock a certain country’s streaming content, all users need to do is connect to that country’s server. For example, if users want to access New Zealand content, they just need to connect to a VPN New Zealand server and get a New Zealand IP address.

Like NordVPN, Surfshark does not have a free New Zealand VPN version, but a free 7-day trial is available. The 30-day money-back guarantee can also be used as a longer free trial. Once the trial ends, a subscription will be necessary to continue using Surfshark’s features. As mentioned already, Surfshark has very affordable subscriptions, even more so if a discount is used.