How popular isHiku?
In September 2026, people searched for Hiku by name about 460 times in New Zealand, a 9.5% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 5.7% of all New Zealand Kaikōura restaurant searches, placing Hiku fourth out of six restaurants. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Kaikōura restaurants, Hiku did not appear in any of the answers.
Hiku is the fourth most searched of 6 competitors and not listed in any AI answer.
The Pier HotelShare of searches 58.7%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Black Rabbit PizzaShare of searches 20%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th- The WhalerShare of searches 7.5%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
HikuShare of searches 5.7%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –- Kaikōura Seafood BBQShare of searches 4.9%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
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Top Kaikōura restaurants in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Hiku did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Zephyr Restaurant4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- The Pier Hotel3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Kaikōura Seafood BBQ3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Black Rabbit Pizza2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- The Whaler0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Hiku0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about Kaikōura restaurants
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which restaurant should I go to in Kaikōura, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best restaurants in Kaikōura, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best restaurant in Kaikōura, New Zealand for a seafood meal?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“kaikoura restaurants”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“kaikoura dinner”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which Kaikōura restaurants compete with Hiku?
Share of searches by month for The Pier Hotel, Black Rabbit Pizza, The Whaler, Hiku, Kaikōura Seafood BBQ, Zephyr Restaurant. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | The Pier Hotel | Black Rabbit Pizza | The Whaler | Hiku | Kaikōura Seafood BBQ | Zephyr Restaurant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55% | 26.8% | 6.2% | 3.9% | 4.4% | 3.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 56.6% | 26.6% | 5.4% | 3.1% | 5.3% | 2.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 53.1% | 30.4% | 5.5% | 3.3% | 5% | 2.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 55.9% | 26.2% | 5.8% | 4% | 5.2% | 2.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 60.1% | 25.5% | 4.2% | 2.5% | 4.2% | 3.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 56.3% | 26.6% | 5.3% | 3.9% | 4.4% | 3.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.2% | 24.6% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 5% | 3.3% |
| May 2026 | 51.9% | 25.2% | 7.4% | 6% | 5.2% | 4.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.5% | 20% | 10.6% | 7.4% | 5.2% | 4.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 55% | 20.1% | 8.4% | 7.8% | 4.8% | 3.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.1% | 18.6% | 8.7% | 7.6% | 4.8% | 3.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 58.7% | 20% | 7.5% | 5.7% | 4.9% | 3.2% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 58.7% | 4.7K | +52.9% | +1.6 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 20% | 1.6K | +60% | +1.4 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 7.5% | 600 | +27.7% | -1.2 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 5.7% | 460 | +12.2% | -1.9 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 4.9% | 390 | +50% | 0 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 3.2% | 260 | +52.9% | +0.1 points |
58.7%
Held 1st. 4.7K estimated branded searches, +52.9% vs prior month. Share +1.6 points.
20%
Held 2nd. 1.6K estimated branded searches, +60% vs prior month. Share +1.4 points.
7.5%
Held 3rd. 600 estimated branded searches, +27.7% vs prior month. Share -1.2 points.
4.
Hiku5.7%
Held 4th. 460 estimated branded searches, +12.2% vs prior month. Share -1.9 points.
4.9%
Held 5th. 390 estimated branded searches, +50% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
3.2%
Held 6th. 260 estimated branded searches, +52.9% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Hiku and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Hiku
5 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Hiku changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
4 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Hiku in New Zealand rose from 420 to 460.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hiku’s share of searches among Kaikōura restaurants in New Zealand increased from 3.9% to 5.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hiku’s share of searches among Kaikōura restaurants in New Zealand peaked at 7.8% in July 2026 and was lowest at 2.5% in February 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hiku rose from 5th to 4th among Kaikōura restaurants in New Zealand.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand Kaikōura restaurants in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, The Pier Hotel gained share of searches among Kaikōura restaurants in New Zealand, from 57.1% to 58.7%.
In September 2026, Black Rabbit Pizza gained share of searches among Kaikōura restaurants in New Zealand, from 18.6% to 20%.
In September 2026, Hiku lost share of searches among Kaikōura restaurants in New Zealand, from 7.6% to 5.7%.
In September 2026, The Whaler lost share of searches among Kaikōura restaurants in New Zealand, from 8.7% to 7.5%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Zephyr Restaurant in New Zealand fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 390 to 260 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Kaikōura Seafood BBQ in New Zealand fell 18.8% over 12 measured months, from 480 to 390 in September 2026.
How are Hiku’s branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hiku’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- hiku cafe
- hiku kaikoura
- hiku menu
- hiku restaurant
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