Free Streaming Services: What’s On Offer?

Video streaming has changed the way we consume media. No longer do we sit around the family TV set, same time each week, and eagerly consume the latest episode of our favourite show. Instead, we open a laptop, hop into bed, and binge watch an ungodly amount of content in one sitting.

And while the only streaming option was once a Netflix subscription, that’s all changed, too. Now, to access all your favourite content you’ll need Netflix, Disney+, Neon, Prime Video and AppleTV+ to name a few!

And if you want to throw sports into the mix, well there’s both Sky Sport Now and Spark Sport, which are constantly divvying up exclusive rights to football, cricket, rugby and more.

And it can all quickly add up. In fact, if you want to subscribe to all the major streaming platforms, you could easily spend well over $100 per month!

→Related article: Top Streaming Shows in NZ

Free streaming services

However, there are some excellent streaming services out there that won’t cost you any extra. And we’re talking strictly legitimate sites!

For example, favourite period drama Downton Abbey‘s entire six-season catalogue can be streamed on Neon, Prime Video, or, for free, on TVNZ+. Or you can relax to some Keeping Up With the Kardashians on Netflix, or for free on Three Now!

Or, did you know you can get access to big-budget Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning films, as well as critically claimed indie darlings and international films, all for free with nothing more than a library card or student ID?

In the below article, we cover some of the best free streaming services available in New Zealand, and what you can expect from each.

TVNZ+

TVNZ On Demand has had a big rebrand recently and is now known as TVNZ+. This rebrand signalled the platform’s shift from purely an on-demand, catch-up platform to an online streaming service.

While you can still stream live television (TVNZ1, TVNZ2, Duke) or catch up on shows you’ve missed (when they are uploaded to TVNZ+ shortly after airing live) there is also a catalogue of shows and movies unique to TVNZ+. This content is separate from the content that is played on TVNZ free-to-air television.

These movies and shows are available to watch on demand, and series are usually uploaded as complete seasons, rather than one episode per week.

Note that certain movies and shows from TVNZ channels are only available to watch for a certain period before they expire.

What’s available to watch?

In addition to catching up on all your favourite TVNZ shows, TVNZ+ has an expansive catalogue of movies, shows, documentaries and kids’ content. It even hosts content from other sites and channels, such as documentaries from iwonder, shows from the Outdoor Channel and Adult Swim, and foreign language films from Filmstream.

Notable content includes*:

How can I watch TVNZ+?

You can easily watch TVNZ+ from any of your favourite devices. You can watch it via the website on desktop, the TVNZ+ app on your smartphone or tablet, cast it to your TV or watch it straight from the SmartTV app.

ThreeNow

ThreeNow is an on-demand streaming platform for content from Discovery New Zealand. You can stream live TV and catch up on missed episodes or movies from:

While ThreeNow’s library isn’t as extensive as TVNZ+’s, thanks to its overseas owner ThreeNow does have an ample selection of documentaries and reality shows, in addition to its local programming.

What’s available to watch?

You can catch up on your favourite shows such as*:

• 7 Days
• Grand Designs
• Heartbreak Island
• Married at First Sight

How can I watch ThreeNow?

You can easily watch ThreeNow from any of your favourite devices. You can watch it via the website on desktop, the ThreeNow app on your smartphone or tablet, cast it to your TV or watch it straight from the SmartTV app.

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Kanopy

Kanopy claims to be a streaming platform for high-quality, thoughtful, entertainment and educational content. That means an exclusive catalogue of critically acclaimed award-winning cinema, art-house and international films, short films and documentaries.

So while you won’t find any comfort watch romcoms or reality TV series, you will find a movie list that rivals that of the best paid streaming services.

What’s available to watch?

In addition to critically acclaimed cinema, Kanopy also has a wide range of documentaries and educational kids’ content.

Notable content includes*:

How can I watch Kanopy?

As Kanopy prides itself on being a platform for quality, critically acclaimed, though-provoking content it partners with libraries and universities to offer its free service.

That means to access Kanopy, you need to have a library card or student ID from a participating library or university. In New Zealand, many public libraries and universities have partnered with Kanopy, but you can visit the website to check if your library/university is eligible.

If so, it’s quick and easy to set up a Kanopy account and get streaming from the website or via the Kanopy app.

Beamafilm

Following a similar model to Kanopy, Beamafilm is an Australian-owned streaming platform for quality cinema. However, unlike Kanopy, it places a strong focus on Australasian content, with roughly 30% of its catalogue being from the region.

What’s available to watch?

Much like Kanopy, you can find critically acclaimed cinema, alongside a wide range of documentaries and educational kids’ content.

Notable content includes*:

How can I watch Beamafilm?

Beamafilm partners with libraries to offer its free content. You can check the Beamafilm website to see if your public library offers Beamafilm. If so, you can quickly make an account with your library card and get streaming via the website or the Beamafilm app.

Maori+

Maori+ is the new streaming platform from Whakaata Māori (formerly known as Māori Television). It offers a catalogue of movies, shows, documentaries with a heavy focus on Māori and te reo Māori content. Although it does also feature international content

What’s available to watch?

Much of the content on Maori+ is local and includes series, documentaries, reality TV and kids’ content, alongside a smaller roster of international content.

Notable content includes*:

How can I watch Maori+?

You can easily watch Maori+ from any of your favourite devices, via the website on desktop, the Maori+ app on your smartphone or tablet, cast it to your TV or watch it straight from the SmartTV app.

NZ On Screen

NZ On Screen is non-commercial and is governed by an independent charitable trust, the Digital Media Trust. It is primarily funded by NZ On Air. The website’s video content is made possible by the generosity and support of the New Zealand screen industry.

What’s available to watch?

NZ On Screen is home to a back catalogue of NZ television, film, music video and web series as well as interviews and profiles.

How can I watch NZ On Screen?

You can watch NZ On Screen for free on the NZ On Screen website.

Tubi

Tubi, a division of FOX Entertainment, is an ad-supported, video-on-demand service with over 40,000 movies and TV shows, including a growing library of Tubi originals.

What’s available to watch?

A few of the shows and movies available on Tubi include*:

• Midsomer Murders
• Mr. Bean
• Yu-Gi-Oh!
• The Inbetweeners
• Fists of Fury

How can I watch Tubi?

You can easily watch Tubi from any of your favourite devices. You can watch it via the website on desktop, the Tubi app on your smartphone or tablet, cast it to your TV or watch it straight from the SmartTV app.

*Accurate at time of writing, September 2022.

What about BBC iPlayer, Peacock, FreeVee and other free streaming services?

There are countless free streaming services available worldwide. You have popular on-demand services such as BBC iPlayer and 9Now, or free streaming sites such as Peacock and Amazon’s ad-supported Prime Video alternative, FreeVee.

However, many of these free streaming services aren’t accessible from here in New Zealand, which limits the content you can access.

One option, however, is to use a VPN service. A VPN reroutes your location and tricks websites into thinking you’re located elsewhere, granting you access to geo-blocked content.

Of course, this isn’t the only benefit VPNs have to offer, and there are plenty of security and privacy benefits to be had. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out this article on VPNs here.

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About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Andrew Broadley. Andrew is an
experienced writer with a wide range of industry experience. Starting out, he cut his teeth
working as a writer for print and online magazines, and he has worked in both journalism
and editorial roles. His content has covered lifestyle and culture, marketing and, more
recently, finance for Canstar.