Using a VPN is generally legal in New Zealand for protecting your online privacy and data security. There are no specific laws that ban the use of Virtual Private Networks for individuals. In fact, safety organizations like Netsafe acknowledge that these tools can be beneficial for securing personal information (1). The government does not monitor or control standard internet activity in a way that would make using privacy tools illegal, provided they are not used for criminal acts.
Many New Zealanders use these services to secure their connections when using public Wi-Fi networks in cafes or airports. Consumer NZ advises that you should always use a VPN if you are accessing sensitive sites, like banking platforms, while on a public network (2). This helps disguise your identity and prevents hackers from easily intercepting your data. While the technology is legal, it is important to remember that using it to hide illegal online activities remains against the law.
"By using a VPN, you can enhance the security and privacy of your online activities. Although a VPN does not prevent your data from being intercepted, it makes the intercepted data unreadable."
A complex aspect of VPN usage in New Zealand involves accessing geo-blocked content, such as foreign streaming catalogs. Consumer NZ describes this as a "legal grey area" regarding copyright laws (2). While the Copyright Act does not explicitly criminalize the use of a VPN to bypass these restrictions for personal viewing, it may violate the terms of service of the streaming provider. Rights holders have previously challenged this practice, but it has not resulted in a ban on the technology itself.
Source:
https://netsafe.org.nz/online-safety-at-home/using-a-vpn
https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/keeping-safe-on-the-internet
Last updated: 14-01-2026 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
