New Zealand viewers will soon have a new way to watch House of the Dragon, Harry Potter, and The White Lotus. HBO Max is launching in the country on June 16, 2026. The streaming service will be available through Prime Video as an add-on subscription. You do not need an Amazon Prime membership to sign up.
The launch happens just days before Season 3 of House of the Dragon drops, making it one of the biggest TV events of the year.
Special Discount for Early Sign-Ups
HBO Max is offering a launch discount for customers who subscribe early. The standard plan costs $10.99 per month for the first six months instead of the usual $15.99. The premium plan costs $15.99 per month for the first six months instead of the usual $20.99.
The standard plan includes:
- Two devices at the same time
- Full HD 1080p resolution
- Up to 30 downloads for offline watching
- No ads
The premium plan gives you:
- Four devices at once
- 4K resolution and Dolby Atmos sound
- Up to 100 downloads
- No ads
The discounted price lasts for six months. You must sign up by July 16, 2026 to get the deal.
What Shows and Movies Are on HBO Max
The service brings a huge library of content to New Zealand. HBO Originals include Euphoria, Succession, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, and True Detective. The third season of House of the Dragon arrives in June at the same time as its US premiere.
The new Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone TV series launches in December 2026. The show is one of the most awaited releases of the year. DC Studios’ Lanterns is also coming soon.
Warner Bros. movies on the service include Wuthering Heights, One Battle After Another, and Sinners. Classic shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Rick and Morty are also available. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is part of the movie library as well.
How the Prime Video Partnership Works
HBO Max will be the 26th subscription partner on Prime Video in New Zealand. Other partners include Apple TV+, Lionsgate+, Hayu, Crunchyroll, and beIN Sports.
Alexandra Gilbert, Head of Content for Prime Video Australia and New Zealand, said the company is happy to welcome HBO Max.
“We’re thrilled to welcome HBO Max to Prime Video as our 26th subscription in New Zealand, growing our stellar entertainment catalogue and giving our customers an even greater selection of world-class series and blockbuster movies, all in one app experience.”
Shonali Bedi, Head of Strategy, Partnerships and Insights, APAC at Warner Bros. Discovery, said the partnership has worked well in other markets.
“Prime Video have been strong and collaborative partners for us, and the HBO Max subscription has been very successful in other markets, including Australia. We’re looking forward to working with the team again as we gear up for the New Zealand launch.”
End of Sky’s HBO Deal
The HBO Max launch in New Zealand marks the end of a long relationship with Sky TV. Sky announced in February 2026 that it would not renew its HBO content deal.
Sky had carried HBO content through its Neon streaming service. The deal allowed Sky to offer shows like The White Lotus and Euphoria to its subscribers. But Sky decided not to pursue a “co-exclusive content arrangement” as Warner Bros. Discovery prepared to launch its own service in New Zealand.
Sophie Moloney, Sky Chief Executive, said the company used a data-driven approach to understand what customers actually watch.
“That work has led us to a strong conclusion: this is the right decision for Sky’s customers, and for our shareholders.”
Sky is now focusing on content from other studios including Paramount, BBC, Studiocanal, and Sony.
HBO shows will remain on Sky and Neon until mid-June. After that, they move exclusively to HBO Max.
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How to Sign Up
New Zealand viewers can sign up for HBO Max starting June 16, 2026 through the Prime Video app or website. You can also subscribe directly through the HBO Max website. The service will also be available in the Cook Islands and Tokelau.
Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India already have access to HBO Max through their own regional options. This launch is specifically for New Zealand customers.
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