Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.
Netflix NZ vs Netflix US: Everything you need to know
Netflix has taken New Zealand by storm but are Kiwis getting the short straw when compared to the US?
Ever since some joker released a “Nitflux” parody video on the Internet, the New Zealand version of Netflix has had something of a bad rap. Being a smaller, satellite region to the impossibly large Netflix US puts it at a lower rank in terms of content delivery priority. But New Zealand is known for punching above its weight in many things, and its Netflix library is no exception. Don’t take my word for it, though. Let’s break down the differences between the two.
Prices: Netflix NZ vs Netflix US
One area where you’ll not see much disparity is in the pricing structure of the two service, as Netflix has a one-size-fits-all approach to all its regions. No matter where you are in the world, your subscription options are going to be Basic, Standard or Premium.
Let’s start with the crème de la crème first: Premium. Laying down NZD$18.49 a month will give you access to Netflix’s always growing library of 4K content. Plus you can share your account across four devices at any one time. A premium subscription is perfect for large families.
If you’ve yet to make a bold leap into the ultra-HD (UHD) television future – or your Internet connection isn’t up to 4K snuff – you’ll probably want to go for the next tier down: Standard. This subscription requires an investment of NZD$14.99 a month. For this you will get perfectly acceptable high definition (HD) content across two simultaneous devices.
And finally, there’s Netflix’s Basic plan. NZD$11.49 per month will get you a somewhat eyesore-ish standard definition (SD) signal that can only be streamed to one device.
How do Netflix US and Netflix NZ content libraries compare?
For the most part, if the film or TV show you’re after is a new release, highly rated or a Netflix original, you’ll see it released side-by-side on both Netflix NZ and its US counterpart. However, some rare exceptions do occur. In these cases you’ll have to deal with a short wait time before it arrives in New Zealand – typically no more than a month.
When you compare Netflix NZ to the more than 70 countries supported by the streaming service, the Kiwi library is surprisingly competitive. At the time of writing Netflix NZ sits within the top 10 regions in the world for TV and films totals. At last check, Netflix US had 1,610 TV shows and 3,999 movies, with a grand total of 5,609 titles; while Netflix NZ had 1,422 TV shows and 3,146 movies, which adds up to 4,568 titles.
Netflix US is still the clear victor here, though it’s not the landslide that “Nitflux” meme would have you expect.
Check the table below to see what TV shows are available on Netflix US and what’s available on Netflix NZ.
Netflix NZ vs Netflix US TV shows
What about kids’ programming?
Both regions share the majority of Netflix’s kids content. Of particular note is the partnership that exists between this streaming giant and Dreamworks Animation Television to produce quality original series. You’ll simply not find these critically acclaimed shows anywhere else: Dawn of the Croods, Dinotrux, The Mr Peabody & Sherman Show, Dragons: Race to the Edge, Turbo FAST and All Hail King Julien.
It’s also worth mentioning that Netflix has lost its Disney hookup recently. Where once you could happily binge-stream the best of Pixar and classics like Aladdin, all of the best “House of Mouse” offerings have moved off Netflix in preparation for Disney+, the entertainment giant’s very own foray into streaming services.
Does Netflix NZ or Netflix US offer better quality streaming?
There’s very little difference between the two regions from a technical standpoint – both utilise the same automated bit-rate adaption technology that fetches you your content in line with your Internet capabilities. In the end, it’s just going to come down to where you are in New Zealand and what sort of Mb/s you can siphon. Reliably streaming 4K is the only real challenge for the average Kiwi user. Netflix US exists in a country where 18.7 Mb/s is the average connection speed. The average in NZ is currently a less impressive 14.7 Mb/s.
More TV and movie streaming options
Why stop at Netflix US when you can compare them all? See what Prime Video and Neon are offering in the table below.
More guides on Finder
-
Limited offer: Save 84% on Disney Plus in New Zealand
Celebrate Disney Plus Day without breaking the bank.
-
Streaming Statistics New Zealand
New Zealand ranks top out of 18 for the percentage of its population with at least one streaming service, with 65% paying for a subscription.
-
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Performance, price, features, games and more
Who will win in the PS5 vs XSX video game console war? We compare the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, including specs, design, controllers and games.
-
NZ Safe Driving Report 2020
Finder research shows over 2.7 million Kiwis are driving dangerously on the roads. Find out what New Zealand’s riskiest drivers are, and how your own driving stacks up.
-
Here’s the full list of Disney+ New Zealand features
Streaming shows and movies with Disney+ is a breeze but which features give you bang for your buck?
-
The 10 best shows available on Disney+ New Zealand
From animated superhero shows to captivating docu-series, Disney+ has something for everyone.
-
Disney+ 2020 movie release schedule
Disney+ launched with a tons of movies and TV shows, but already a busy 2020 and 2021 movie release schedule has emerged.
-
Disney+ vs Netflix December 2021
It’s the battle of the streaming giants as old takes on new to see which is the best online video-on-demand service.
-
Lightbox vs Netflix: Price, content and plans
Which service will reign supreme in the eyes of New Zealand TV fans?
-
The Mandalorian season 2: Everything you need to know
We know we’re getting another season of The Mandalorian, but when will it premiere?