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Netflix Review - Is this New Zealand's Best Streaming Service?

We review Netflix New Zealand, arguably delivering the best-known names in entertainment and the most varied content, priced from NZ$11.99 a month

Updated 4 December 2020
Netflix: Our Verdict
  1. Overall: Netflix offers the biggest names in films and tv shows with a wide range of genres and content, old and new
  2. The quality of the content justifies the price; you get one month free, depending on the plan you choose, prices range from NZ$11.99 to NZ$21.99. The difference is based on the number of users that can stream content at the same time and the resolution available (HD and Ultra HD not accessible in the basic plan).
  3. Subscribers can download content and travel with it offline (which is perfect for long journeys or where internet won't be reliable), each user can have their own profile (so you and your partner/flatmate can have their own log in access and save their own favourites), parental controls, etc.
  4. If you decide to take a break, you can cancel your account at any time. Your settings, favourites, etc. are stored for 10 months, so if you rejoin before then you won't lose your preferences.  ​​
  5. For the latest sign-up offers, including discounted subscriptions, visit the Netflix website.

Our Review
This full review covers the main benefits of having a subscription to Netflix. These are detailed in the following sections: 
  1. ​​Netflix - What We Like and Don't Like
  2. ​Frequently Asked Questions
  3. Must-Know Netflix Facts

Do you have an experience with Netflix, or tips you'd like to share? Contact our research team right now with your comments.

Table 1: Streaming Services and Monthly Cost Comparison

Service & Cost
TV Shows
Movies
Monthly Cost
Maximum Concurrent Devices
Netflix
1,838
3,880
NZ$11.99 (Basic) to
NZ$21.99 (Premium)
4 (TV or Movies)
Amazon Prime Video
1,571
13,194
US$5.99 (~NZ$9.00)
2 (TV or Movies)
Disney+
241
900
NZ$9.99
4 (TV or Movies)
Source: Data correct at 1 December 2020 as ​ per JustWatch.com

Netflix - What We Like

What matters most is the content, i.e. what you can watch, and what the quality is. We explain this in detail below, but for an up-to-date list of what's available right now in New Zealand, visit this site. 

The Content: Quantity and Highlights
Netflix has around 4,000 movies and 2,000 TV shows to watch on demand. This is a huge amount of content and a lot of it is of the highest quality around. Netflix offers feature films, documentaries, TV shows and anime and their original productions have won many awards.

The Picture and Sound quality
  • Netflix's plans are structured around the number of devices that can stream content simultaneously and the image quality.
  • The Basic plan (NZ$ 11.99) allows only one user/ screen a the time and a maximum resolution of 480p, suitable for phones and tablets but rather low quality for a smart tv
  • The Standard plan (NZ$ 16.99) permits 2 users / screens to be in use at the same time and a resolution of up to 1080p, which is sufficient for most customers
  • The Premium plan (NZ$ 21.99) allows 4 users to stream content at the same time and the best picture quality available (4K+HDR), which would satisfy the more discerning videophiles. There is no restriction on the location of the users, so it's suitable for families even if they are spread around different countries.

You can watch anything, anywhere at anytime
  • You can watch Netflix on virtually any device, through the Netflix app (avilable for iOS, Android or Windows 10). You can also watch content using your desktop by visiting www.netflix.com and signing into your account. 
  • You can also download titles so you can watch them at a later point even if you don't have an internet connection available. Some titles are not available for download and must be streamed online instead. 
  • Netflix has very good parental controls (a maturity rating can be specified for each user profile) and also each profile can be protected with a PIN if privacy is a concern

Netflix - What We Don't Like

​Content changes per country: If you're on holiday overseas, you may not have access to the TV shows or movies you planned to watch due to licencing restrictions.

Netflix Frequently Asked Questions

How does Netflix compare to Amazon Prime Video and Lightbox?

Compared to other streaming services, it can be argued that Netflix has better and more varied content than its competitors- better selection of feature films, original series, more documentaries and notable international productions. The content is fresher and of a higher budget overall. The Premium plan is almost twice as expensive as Amazon Prime Video, but if 4K definition is not a requisite and you don't need more than 2 simultaneous users, the Standard Plan is good value and would meet your needs.  

Lightbox is tiny in comparison to both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and unless it's free in a Spark plan, it is hard to justify the $15.99 monthly price as a stand-alone service. But if you already have one of these phone or broadband plans, you may not need another streaming subscription - 600+ movies and 150+ TV shows may be sufficient.

How much does Netflix cost?

Netflix is offered in 3 different plans, the cost depends on the image quality and the number of simultaneous users as described in the table below:
Basic Netflix Plan
Standard Netflix Plan
Premium Netflix Plan
11.99
16.99
21.99
per month
​per month
per month
Good Video Quality
Better Video Quality
Best Video Quality
480p Resolution
1080p Resolution
4K+HDR Resolution
Watch Netflix on ONE screen at the same time
Watch Netflix on TWO screens at the same time
Watch Netflix on FOUR screens at the same time

What methods of payment does Netflix accept?

Netflix accepts debit, credit and prepaid cards with the following logos: Visa, MasterCard, American Express. Netflix can also be paid through third parties like Spark (if your plan include this service), Gift cards and some Virtual cards

Is Netflix worth the cost?

This depends on how much you use it - if you subscribe but only watch a movie every week, then probably not. But if you 'binge' watch the TV shows, regularly watch films or TV shows, then the monthly fee can be justified. Quite simply, it comes down to how much you will use it. A free or discount trial can help to evaluate both the content and how it works in with your lifestyle. 

How do I share a Netflix account with other people?

If you subscribe to the Standard or Premium Plans, you can create 2 or 4 individual profiles respectively. Sign into your account on the browser, go to "Manage Profiles" and click "Add Profile", specify a name and maturity rating if needed. You can then share your login and password so they can log in and choose their Profile to start watching content on Netflix. 

How can I cancel Netflix?

It's easy to cancel your Netflix subscription and there are no cancellation fees. All you need to do is go to your Account Page and ​select "Cancel Membership". If you cancel before the end of your current billing period, you will be able to continue streaming content until the end of your billing period. Netflix saves your viewing history, list of favourites, etc for 10 months. If you want to join Netflix again, you can restart your account from the Account page.
Please note that if you are subscribed to Netflix through Spark or another third party, the cancellation and rejoining processes might be different.

Netflix - 5 Must-Know Facts

Reduce 'endless scrolling' by shortlisting TV shows and movies to your watchlist

Logging in and seeing thousands of entertaining options can be overwhelming, and it's easy to spend relaxation time scrolling through all the options. Decision paralysis and streaming services go hand-in-hand. To avoid this, start saving shows you want to watch in your favourites section and try to bring the list down by watching things, not adding to the list. 

Rate content to get better recommendations

After watching a title, make sure you rate it with a thumbs up or thumbs down so Netflix learns what you like and can recommend content accordingly. You don't need to watch a title on Netflix in order to rate it, you can simply display the full description for the title, click "Rate" and give it a thumbs up or down.

Download the best video quality you can

New Zealand broadband may not be the world's fastest, but making sure your video downloads at a high-quality setting makes all the difference when you come to watch it. You will need to override standard settings which show per device, and select either 'Standard' or 'High' in the App's settings.

Make the most of Netflix Profiles

If you like romantic comedies and sitcoms, and someone else in your house likes foreign movies and crime dramas, you can have distinct profiles to keep your history and recommendations separate. All of these profiles are linked to the same account, so when you open Netflix the screen will show the profiles available, select your own profile to have a more customised viewing experience.

Privacy and Parental controls available on Netflix

​Netflix comes with a predetermined account for Kids, that only shows content that is rated G or PG. In addition, you can:
  • Set the maturity rating for each profile, so that it only shows content up to the specified maturity rating
  • For each profile you can restrict specific titles from being accessed, full details of this feature can be found here   
  • You can also require a PIN to access a profile, Netflix's support page explains this feature in detail here. ​
Do you have an experience with Netflix, or tips you'd like to share? Contact our research team right now with your comments.

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