Top 10 Free & Legal Streaming Services in NZ

Want more from your TV without paying for subscriptions? New Zealand has some of the best free streaming options in the world. Here are the top apps and services every Kiwi home should know about.

1. Freeview Live TV App

The easiest way to watch live broadcast TV without an aerial. The Freeview Live TV app streams all the main NZ channels directly to your Smart TV or streaming device over your internet connection.

2. TVNZ+

The powerhouse of NZ streaming. TVNZ+ is packed with local shows, exclusive international dramas, live sports, and a huge library of free blockbuster movies and documentaries on demand.

3. ThreeNow

A must-have for fans of reality TV, local news, and a wide range of popular lifestyle and drama shows from Three, Bravo, Eden, and Rush.

4. Māori+

An essential service offering a rich library of unique local content, insightful documentaries, children's shows in Te Reo, and live sports that you won't find anywhere else.

5. NZ On Screen

A fantastic archive of New Zealand's television and film history. Discover classic Kiwi movies, TV shows, music videos, and documentaries, all available to stream for free.

6. Tubi

One of the best ad-supported services available in NZ. Tubi offers a massive and constantly changing library of thousands of popular movies and TV series for free.

7. Filmzie

A great service for movie lovers looking for something different. Filmzie focuses on high-quality independent films, festival winners, and hidden gems from around the world, all free with ads.

8. Kanopy & Beamafilm (with Library Card)

Your Auckland Libraries card is a key to world-class cinema. Services like Kanopy and Beamafilm provide free access to acclaimed films, classic movies, and insightful documentaries.

9. Live International News (via YouTube)

The YouTube app has free, 24/7 live news streams from official global broadcasters like BBC News, Al Jazeera, France 24, and DW News. It's a powerful way to watch world news.

10. YouTube

Beyond the news, YouTube is a massive source of free content, including full-length documentaries, classic movies, concerts, and educational content on any topic imaginable.

But What About Sky Go?

You might have noticed we left the popular Sky Go app off our main list. While it's a great app with access to the free Sky Open channel, it's important to understand what it's designed for and how it differs from Sky's other apps.

Sky Go vs. Sky Sport Now / Neon

Sky Go is primarily designed for mobile devices—your phone and tablet—to let you watch your subscribed Sky channels "on the go." It is not available as a native app for most Smart TVs, Google TV, or Apple TV.

Sky Sport Now and Neon are Sky's dedicated, subscription-based streaming services for sports and entertainment. These *do* have official apps for most modern TV devices, but they are a separate subscription and do not include your main Sky TV channels.

Can I Watch Sky Go on My TV?

Yes, it is often possible to "cast" or "AirPlay" the stream from the Sky Go app on your phone to your television. However, this method can sometimes be unreliable and is highly dependent on having a very stable home WiFi network and compatible devices to work smoothly.

How Do I Get All This?

The key is a modern streaming device and a strong home network. While many of these apps may be on your Smart TV, a dedicated device like a Google TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV is often faster, easier to use, and guaranteed to have every app.