How GTA 6 Players Can Try the New Zealand Trick on PS5

A New Zealand PSN account could give PS5 players an earlier start in Grand Theft Auto VI, provided the game unlocks by region and the account-sharing method works at launch. The game is scheduled for November 19, 2026, but midnight in New Zealand falls on November 18 across much of the rest of the world.

There is an important catch before spending money. Earlier PlayStation Store timestamps pointed to a staggered release, but the final regional rollout was not confirmed. The workaround has not been confirmed for GTA 6 either.

Set up a New Zealand account and purchase

The proposed PS5 method requires a separate account and a copy purchased from the New Zealand PlayStation Store. Creating the account may require a New Zealand address.

1. Create a new PSN account on your PS5 and select New Zealand as its region.
2. Open the New Zealand PlayStation Store with that account and purchase GTA 6. The source suggests a New Zealand PlayStation Store gift card as a payment option.
3. If you want to play on your usual account, use the New Zealand account to open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play, then enable the setting.
4. Download the game when it becomes available to preload. Once the New Zealand release time arrives, try launching it from the purchasing account or, with sharing enabled, your usual account.

Unlike simply changing a console setting, this approach involves buying a regional copy. Keep the unconfirmed launch timing in mind before making that purchase.

When New Zealand midnight falls in other time zones

If GTA 6 unlocks at 12:00 a.m. NZDT on November 19, that moment will fall at the following local times elsewhere. These are conversions of the New Zealand time, not confirmed release times for each region.

Would you consider a separate regional purchase for an earlier start in GTA 6? Follow the regional launch story on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, Telegram.

Grand Theft Auto VI

Developed by Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet.

• Genre Shooter, Racing, Adventure
• Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
• Perspective First person, Third person
• Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
• Release November 19, 2026
• Publisher Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive
• Age Rating

PlayStation Store Xbox Store Explore Grand Theft Auto VI Official Site