HBO Max launches in New Zealand

It's finally here - HBO Max has launched in New Zealand.

The streaming service has been highly anticipated in the market, giving customers access to the likes of the upcoming third season of House Of The Dragon (which launches Monday June 22, at the same time as the US), the entire run of Euphoria and Succession, as well as fan favourites such as Rick and Morty.

The service also announced special pricing and promotional offer information for the coming months to attract customers.

The launch was also kickstarted by Lord Corlys Velaryon aka actor Steve Toussaint who flew in to also promote the upcoming third season of The House of the Dragon.

Toussaint also spoke to media and was welcomed into New Zealand with the customary greeting.

Steve Toussaint is welcomed to Auckland by Joseph Royal (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei).

Subscribers can also stream Warner Bros.’ vast library of movies, including recent Oscar®-winning films One Battle After Another and Sinners, blockbusters like Wuthering Heights and beloved franchises including Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and the DC Universe.  Fan favourites such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Rick and Morty also feature on the platform.  

The second half of 2026 will see the arrival of brand new shows including Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness (with Michelle and Barack Obama as Executive Producers - 27 June), Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (from The Big Bang Theory universe – 24 July), Lanterns (from DC Studios – 17 August), Youth (from Sharon Horgan), the fourth season of The Gilded Age and the highly anticipated first season of the HBO Original Harry Potter series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, debuting at Christmas. 

Michael Brooks, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “Today is an incredibly exciting moment for Warner Bros. Discovery as HBO Max officially launches in Aotearoa New Zealand.  HBO content is creative, brave and has an innovative streak, which are also some of the characteristics the world has come to know and love New Zealand for. Our HBO and Warner Bros. content has always performed strongly with Kiwi audiences, and we are thrilled to now bring that content directly to New Zealand. 

“From House of the Dragon and The White Lotus through to Harry Potter, DC and our award-winning film slate, HBO Max offers an extraordinary depth of storytelling for Kiwi audiences from day one — with even more to come throughout 2026.” 

Jason Monteiro, APAC Streaming Lead, Warner Bros. Discovery, said: "The APAC region has played a key role in HBO Max's impressive global growth. With today’s launch in New Zealand, as well as in Vietnam, Cook Islands and Tokelau, the service is now available in more than 35 markets in the region, reaching more fans with our premium content than ever before.” 

HBO Max is available on both Standard and Premium plans, with monthly and annual subscription options available. Customers who subscribe by 16 July 2026 can take advantage of a limited-time introductory launch offer.  Prime Video has been confirmed as launch partner, with HBO Max available as a subscription for customers who want to subscribe, be billed and watch via the Prime Video app. 

HBO Max will be the only place New Zealanders can catch new and returning HBO and Max Original series, including the third season of House of the Dragon, premiering 22 June, DC Studios’ Lanterns, premiering in August and the highly anticipated first season of the new HBO Original Harry Potter series, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, debuting at Christmas. 

At launch, local subscribers can enjoy Oscar®-winning movies, such as One Battle After Another and Sinners, culture-defining HBO and Max Originals like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Euphoria and The Pitt, and movie collections from hit franchises such as Harry Potter and the DC Universe. Fan favourites, including Friends, The Big Bang Theory and Rick and Morty will also be on platform. 

HBO Max will be available on ad-free Standard and Premium plans, with a special introductory promotional offer for customers who subscribe by 16 July 2026. The streaming service will also launch in the Cook Islands and Tokelau at the same time, with plans and pricing mirroring those in New Zealand. 

HBO Max’s premium content can be enjoyed through an elevated streaming experience on multiple devices, with 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos available (on select plans and devices), and an easy to navigate interface including personalised recommendations, seamless search, genre rails and brand hubs.   

In addition to accessibility features such as audio description, closed captioning, subtitles, screen readers and more, HBO Max also includes parental control features such as four age-appropriate kids’ profile options (up to age 5; ages 6+; ages 10+; ages 13+) and the option to apply Kid-Proof Exit, requiring a pin. 

Standard Plan:  

Launch price offer of $10.99 per month for the first six months, or $109.99 for the first year. 

Regular price after the promotion will be $15.99 per month or $159.99 per year. 

Users can stream content on 2 devices simultaneously.    

Content will be available in Full HD 1080p resolution.    

Plan allows for up to 30 downloads of available content to watch offline.  

Ad-free viewing experience. 

Premium Plan:   

Launch price offer of $15.99 per month for the first six months, or $159.99 for the first year. 

Regular price after the promotion will be $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year. 

Provides the best consumer experience.   

Users can stream content on up to 4 devices simultaneously.    

Full HD or 4K resolution and with Dolby Atmos sound (as available).     

Plan allows for up to 100 downloads of available content to watch offline. (Limits apply.)  

Ad-free viewing experience. 

Subscribers can stream HBO Max on phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players and game consoles. 

It was also announced last week that subscribers to Prime Video in New Zealand can add HBO Max as a subscription.

The launch reinforces Prime Video's position as a one-stop entertainment destination for New Zealand audiences. Subscriptions on Prime Video enable customers to discover and subscribe to additional streaming services directly within the Prime Video app, for a separate fee and with the convenience of a single account, login, and user experience. No Prime Video membership is required, and the service is available to anyone. Customers in New Zealand will have access to the monthly HBO Max Standard and Premium plans and can take advantage of the launch offer of $10.99 per month for the Standard plan (usual price $15.99) or $15.99 per month for the Premium plan (usual price $20.99) for the first six months if they sign up by July 16.*

 

As the latest addition to Prime Video’s extensive and growing collection of premium subscriptions, HBO Max includes access to groundbreaking HBO Original series, including House of the Dragon (season three launching June 22), Euphoria, Succession  and The White Lotus, as well as highly anticipated upcoming HBO Originals like Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Lanterns from DC Studios and season four of The Gilded Age. Subscribers will also have access to Warner Bros. blockbuster hits including Wuthering Heights, One Battle After Another, and Sinners, key Max Originals like The Pitt and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (launching 24 July), and perennial favourites such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Rick and Morty, and more.

 

“Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering a wide selection of premium programming - including Amazon MGM Studios Originals - and encompassing original series and movies, licensed content, live sports, thousands of movies to rent or buy, and premium subscriptions from leading entertainment brands,” said Alexandra Gilbert, Head of Content Prime Video Australia and New Zealand. “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.”

 

“As we prepare to bring HBO Max to Kiwi audiences, it’s fantastic to extend our partnership with Prime Video into New Zealand,” said Shonali Bedi, Head of Strategy, Partnerships and Insights, APAC at Warner Bros. Discovery.  “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.”

 

HBO Max joins Prime Video’s growing lineup of 26 subscription partners in New Zealand, which are available alongside Amazon MGM Originals like The Boys, The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Young Sherlock, and Fallout; blockbuster movies to rent or buy; and a robust slate of live sports. Customers can subscribe to HBO Max with no extra apps to download beyond Prime Video.

For more, visit hbomax.com