House of Cards season 4 has debuted around the globe, but extreme measures are required to watch it in New Zealand.

OPINION: While much of the rest of the world will be bingeing on the latest season of House of Cards this weekend, New Zealand fans' famine shows no signs of ending.

Whether it's a machiavellian plot that Frances Urquhart himself would be proud of, or some bureaucratic incompetency, Netflix doesn't seem to own the rights to their own show here.

Hilariously or maddeningly, depending on your sensibilities, they keep adding it to their upcoming lists for this country, only upon inquiry to back down and suggest its inclusion was "made in error". According to them, somebody else owns the New Zealand rights – they and everyone else just don't seem to know who.

Supplied House of Cards Season 4 - not coming to a screen near you anytime soon

What we do know is TV3 owned the rights to the first two series, heavily promoting them at first (including even trying a 28-day binge-watch on their then nascent on-demand site) before letting them drift into late-night obscurity (seemingly the fate of all good quality political dramas in this country – The Good Wife anyone?)

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They're still replaying season two on Four, which made me wonder if they might be softening us up for season three, which only those using illegal means, VPNs or buying in the DVDs from overseas have been able to watch (although rumours persist that Netflix had it on their website briefly). However, TV3 confirmed yesterday that they don't own the rights anymore.

Sky TV can't clear up the issue, TVNZ haven't shown any sign of movement and Lightbox offer no illumination (except for CEO Kim Nyblock regularly offering to purchase the rights from whoever's got them).

Taking a different tack, I've tried contacting Sony International, who were the ones who gave the rights to TV3 in the first place. Back in May last year, they told me that they "leave these announcements" up to those purchasing the rights off them. Now, having pleaded with their New York office to end our torment, they've promised to refer my query to their Los Angeles team.

But with today being the launch of Season 4, I call on someone to end this craziness.

Kim Dotcom – if it's you who've got the rights, pony them up and we might not hand you over to the current. non-fictional American regime.

Gareth Morgan – here's another public cause you could get involved in.

John Key – this might help you get your "legacy flag" over the line.

Kevin Spacey – please help us- we just want to see your work by the legitimate means you expect us to.

But ultimately. this is a plea to Netflix, stop wasting our time with Fuller House and its ilk and get your House in order.