We break down the smorgasbord of streaming services available in Aotearoa.
We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to streaming services in New Zealand, but as more and more services put their subscription prices up, it’s easy to wonder: who deserves my hard earned dollar? Which platform has the best blockbuster movies, the funniest local comedies, or the most obscure documentary series about underwater hotels? Where can you binge every episode of Below Deck ever made, and where can you watch the first episode of Gloss on repeat?
To help you sail through the murky waters of our streaming world, we’ve gathered together a list of all of New Zealand’s on-demand services, how much they cost, and what their biggest drawcards are. As several of the larger streaming platforms have different pricing options, we’ve organised these by the lowest available monthly subscription price.
Happy watching, and check out our weekly New to Streaming guide for all the latest TV shows and movies coming to a screen near you.
Free
Beamafilm
Beamafilm may offer a niche selection of independent movies, documentaries and TV series, but you’ll be a more informed and enriched person for watching them. Free with a participating library card. Some local content, captions where available.
Best content: Embrace, Untouchable: Inside the Harvey Weinstein Scandal.
Filmzie
Filmzie offers a free streaming service full of independent and more classic, slightly obscure films, documentaries and TV shows. No local content, pop up ads on the website.
Best content: Filmzie has everything from Shackleton’s Captain to Charlie Sheen: Born to Be Wild.
Kanopy
Another streaming service that’s free with a library card, Kanopy includes thousands of classic films and award-winning documentaries and describes itself as “quality, thoughtful entertainment” to inspire, enrich and entertain. There’s also Kanopy Kids for the little people in your life. No ads, a selection of local content and captions where possible.
Best content: Loving Vincent, Rear Window, The Act of Killing, The Darkest Hour, Carol.
Māori+
Māori+ is the on demand streaming service for Whakaata Māori, and features a thoughtful catalogue celebrating the people, places and cultures of Aotearoa. Captions are available, there are no ads and it’s a fantastic source of local comedy, drama, films, educational content and documentaries.
Best content: The Stolen Children of Aotearoa, Don’t Even, End of the Valley, The Hui, Rūrangi, Ahikāroa, Cousins, Only in Aotearoa Wāhine Edition, Homesteads.
NZ On Screen
A veritable treasure trove of historical New Zealand content, NZ On Screen features over 4,000 titles from our TV, film, music video and web series history. The selection includes news clips, interviews, profiles of industry stars and specially curated collections. No subscription necessary, no ads, unfortunately no captions.
Best content: There’s something for everyone, from episodes of iconic NZ TV shows like Gloss, Under the Mountain, Outrageous Fortune and It’s In The Bag, plus curated collections like The Cow Collection, Alison Holst’s Microwave Meals and 30 Years of Greenstone TV.
SkyOpen (via SkyGo)
Sky Go is free for Sky customers, but if you don’t have a Sky account, you can still use Sky Go to watch Sky Open (free-to-air) content. This includes some great locally produced shows and documentaries, and you’ll also access some of Neon’s premier content like I Hate Suzie and The Curse when they screen free to air. Includes ads, and captions are available.
Best content: Everything I Know About Love, Crowd Goes Wild, Miriam Margolyes in NZ, Miles From Nowhere, Law and Order, Game of 2 Halves.
ThreeNow
ThreeNow’s streaming service has improved both in useability and content, and there’s now a good range of Australian and British drama to balance out the Bravo reality series and home makeover shows. There’s also a strong selection of local comedies, dramas and documentaries, and a variety of live channels – if you’ve ever wanted to watch The Graham Norton Show 24/7, this is your chance. There are ads and captions where available.
Best content: Happiness, 7 Days, Polk, The Traitors UK, Westside, Double Parked, Guy Mont Spelling Bee, Fake, Rebus, David Lomas Investigates, Homebound 3.0, NZ Today, Madam, Far North, Blue Lights, MAFS AU, Bravo content like Real Housewives and Below Deck.
Tubi
You don’t need a subscription for Tubi, an American streaming service owned by Fox. Compared to other free streaming services in NZ, the catalogue features an eclectic mix of classic movies and older TV shows for both adults and children. There are ads, no local content, and captions are available.
Best content: Straight Outta Compton, Scarface, Silence of the Lambs, The Lego Movie, Power Rangers, Midsomer Murders.
TVNZ+
Arguably the best streaming service in this entire list and certainly the best free service out there, TVNZ+ has established itself as a reliable source of quality movies, lifestyle, drama, reality and comedy shows. There’s an excellent selection of local content, as well as a strong showing of British and Australian drama. If you only want one streaming service in your life, TVNZ+ should be it. And did we mention it’s free? This means that there are ads, while closed captioning is available where possible.
Best content: The Day of the Jackal, Hacks, Ludwig, Alone, Am I Being Unreasonable, Endangered Species Aotearoa, Taskmaster NZ, After the Party, Shortland Street, Masterchef, Australian Survivor, Sherwood, The Brokenwood Mysteries, Colin from Accounts.
Under $10 per month
AroVision (Starts at $3.99)
The on-demand streaming companion of AroVideo, AroVision features over 3000 well-curated film titles, focusing on festival, classic, cult and unusual titles that won’t be available on your average streaming service. These films have been hand-picked by the AroVision team and come highly recommended, which is a precious personal touch in an algorithm-filled world. Prices are per film rental, and there’s plenty of local content.
Best content: Conclave, I’m Still Here, Better Man, The Room Next Door, Paddington in Peru, Head South, The Rule of Jenny Penn, Ms Information.
Shelter ($3.99)
One of the more specialised platforms out there, Shelter is an Australian streaming service specialising in films about architecture and design. No ads, free trial available.
Best content: Deconstructivist Architects, Underwater Hotels
Acorn TV ($7.99)
A small but well-honed catalogue of British mysteries, dramas and comedies, with a smattering of Australian content. Free seven day trial, no local content. Your Nan would love it.
Best content: Shetland, Vera, Keeping Faith, Annika, Mrs Wilson, The Dublin Murders
Shudder ($7.99)
The scariest streaming service of all, Shudder specialises in horror, thriller and supernatural titles, including both movies and TV series. New titles premiere weekly, and local content includes Coming Home in the Dark and Grafted. Free seven day trial, no ads.
Best content: From Black, Leave, Skinamarink
DocPlay ($8.99)
An Australian-based documentary streaming service with a changing catalogue of over 130 of the world’s best documentaries in one place. The catalogue covers everything from fashion to music to travel and war, and the platform is easy to use. Free 14 day trial, no ads, closed captions where available, and includes plenty of local content.
Best content: Tickled, Mister Organ, Loading Docs, Becoming Led Zeppelin, 2073, No Other Land.
Hayu ($8.99)
A must-have for reality TV fans, Hayu includes over 300 reality shows (including every single episode of Below Deck ever made) and best of all, streams Bravo shows on the same day as the US. Free seven day trial, no ads, captions are available.
Best content: Below Deck, Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules, The Valley, Watch What Happens Live, Southern Charm
AMC+ ($9.99)
AMC+ is a streaming bundle that pulls content from Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, BBC America and AMC into one handy subscription. No ads, free seven day trial.
Best content: The Anne Rice Universe, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Dark Winds, Happy Valley, Mayfair Witches, Killing Eve, Halloween, Child’s Play, Mad Men, A Discovery of Witches.
Under $20 per month
Prime Video ($10.99)
The least expensive of the big streaming services, Prime Video offers both award-winning original content and a lot of older movies, TV shows (including every episode of Beverly Hills 90210) and documentaries. There’s a pitifully small offering of local content (including All of Nothing: The New Zealand All Blacks and season one of The Almighty Johnsons). No ads, closed captioning where possible, free seven day free trial.
Best content: The Narrow Road to the Deep North, 1883, 1923, Reacher, Landman, Jury Duty, I Am: Celine Dion, Lioness, LOL: Last One Laughing.
Neon (starts at $12.99)
Neon is arguably the best value for money out of the big name streamers, due to the great variety of quality content (and there’s lots of good options for kids here, too). There are two price options with Neon: a basic package (with ads) costs $12.99, while the standard package (no ads, option to download content and watch offline) is $23.99 a month. Both packages provide access to Neon’s impressive catalogue of original and exclusive HBO and Max content, which includes the big blockbuster shows that often win all the Emmys. Closed captioning where possible, plus a solid offering of local content including Dark City: The Cleaner, Inked, Bouncers and Shepherdess.
Best content: The Pitt, The Rehearsal, The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Secrets at Red Rocks, Succession, Outlander, Friends, Rūrangi, Raised by Refugees, The Sixth Commandment, Yellowstone, Yellowjackets, Game of Thrones, Choir Games
Apple TV+ ($14.99)
You get quality over quantity with Apple TV+, and their Apple original shows and movies often feature an impressive line up of well-regarded actors and directors. No ads, closed captioning available (plus a variety of subtitle languages), no local content.
Best content: Slow Horses, Severance, Bad Sisters, The Studio, Your Friends and Neighbours, Ted Lasso, Silo, Shrinking, Dope Thief.
Mubi ($14.99)
If you’re a cinema lover, Mubi may be the only streaming service you need. Mubi offers a finely curated collection of 30 hand-picked cult, classic and independent films (as well as some TV series) from around the world, with a new film added each day and another removed. Free seven day trial.
Best content: Family Romance, My First Film, Gasoline Rainbow.
Disney+ (starts at $16.99)
Disney+ is the streamer with a little bit of everything, from National Geographic documentaries, older series like Ally McBeal and Ugly Betty, and zeitgeisty Disney originals like Dying for Sex and Rivals. My kids use Disney+ more than any other service, thanks to the mix of family friendly movies and kids’ shows, and American sports fans will appreciate the newly added ESPN channels. There are two subscription options (standard package is $16.99 per month, premium is $21.99), no ads, and closed captioning is available. There’s also a small collection of Disney kids’ movies translated into reo Māori, and you can download shows and movies to watch offline.
Best content: Paradise, Dying for Sex, Rivals, Only Murders in the Building, The Bear, Shogun, A Thousand Blows, reo Māori collection Disney movies, ESPN sports
Netflix (starts at $17.99)
Netflix offers one of the largest selection of feature films, documentaries, TV shows, anime and award-winning Netflix Originals. If you’re looking for an obscure but gripping American true crime drama to binge over a wet weekend, Netflix is the place to come. Sadly, there’s minimal local content. Closed captions are available, and you can download content to watch offline. There are three different price packages (Basic $17.99, Standard $25.99, Premium $33.99), depending on how many devices you want to watch on or download onto, how many users you want to access your subscription, and the quality (HD, full HD or Ultra HD) you prefer.
Best content: Adolescence, Stranger Things, Squid Games, Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Black Mirror, Selling Sunset, North of North, Bridgerton
YouTube Premium (starts at $17.99)
YouTube Premium offers unlimited ad-free access to all of YouTube’s content, plus the ability to download videos to watch offline and stream music on YouTube music. Pricing starts at $17.99, although students can access a $10.99 per month price with a free one month trial. Want to know more? Here’s something we prepared earlier about why YouTube Premium offers great value for money.
Over $20 per month
Sky Go (starts at $45)
Sky Go is free for Sky customers and allows them to stream Sky live-to-air and on demand content wherever they are in the country. Packages start at $45 per month, providing access to drama and lifestyle channels like BBC UK and HBO, a variety of sports channels, six different movie channels, Discovery and 24 hour news channels, including CNN and BBC.
Best content: Sports or entertainment, or depending on your package, sports and entertainment
Sky Sport Now ($54.99)
For the sports lovers, Sky Sport Now provides live and on-demand access to 13 sporting channels, including Sky Sports and ESPN. Includes Sky ads.
Best content: International rugby and netball, Super Rugby Pacific, NRL, Formula 1, NBA, Premier League
