Brandwave

How popular isMainland?

In September 2026, people searched for Mainland by name about 2,150 times in New Zealand, a 27.2% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 22.7% of all New Zealand cheese brand searches, placing Mainland second out of eight brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cheese brands, Mainland appeared in three of the four answers and was the third most recommended of the eight.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Mainland is the second most searched of 8 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.

  1. Barry's BayShare of searches 34%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  2. MainlandShare of searches 22.7%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  3. Whitestone CheeseShare of searches 20.8%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. Puhoi ValleyShare of searches 13%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  5. Over the Moon DairyShare of searches 4.2%Mentioned in 1 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th

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Top cheese brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Mainland was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Mainland is the third most recommended of the eight.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Kāpiti1st
  2. Whitestone Cheese2nd
  3. Mainland3rd
  4. Puhoi Valley4th
  5. Barry's Bay5th
  6. Anchor5th
  7. Over the Moon Dairy7th
  8. Perfect Italiano–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Mainland3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Whitestone Cheese3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Kāpiti3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Barry's Bay2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Puhoi Valley2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Over the Moon Dairy1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Anchor1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Perfect Italiano0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about cheese brands

4 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Which cheese brands compete with Mainland?

Mainland against cheese brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Barry's Bay, Mainland, Whitestone Cheese, Puhoi Valley, Over the Moon Dairy, Kāpiti. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthBarry's BayMainlandWhitestone CheesePuhoi ValleyOver the Moon DairyKāpitiPerfect ItalianoAnchor
Oct 202537.8%16%21.7%15.3%3.8%2.7%2.6%0.12%
Nov 202538%12.6%26.6%12%4.7%3.6%2.3%0.12%
Dec 202533.5%7.4%23%7%25.2%2.6%1.1%0.07%
Jan 202641.4%14.5%19.7%13.5%5%3.2%2.3%0.31%
Feb 202644.1%15.7%21.7%11.2%2.9%2.6%1.6%0.11%
Mar 202642.9%17.7%20.9%10.9%2.8%2.5%2.1%0.11%
Apr 202639%20.8%19.7%12.3%3.2%2.8%2%0.12%
May 202632.1%22.6%19.1%16%3.2%3.1%3.7%0.25%
Jun 202632.1%22.7%21.6%13.9%2.9%3.5%3.2%0.14%
Jul 202631.2%23.2%21.8%14.1%3.7%3.2%2.7%0.14%
Aug 202626%25.5%21.7%17.6%3.5%2.7%2.8%0.14%
Sep 202634%22.7%20.8%13%4.2%3.3%2%0.13%

  1. 1.Barry's Bay

    34%

    Held 1st. 2.6K estimated branded searches, +35.9% vs prior month. Share +8 points.

  2. 2.Mainland

    22.7%

    Held 2nd. 1.7K estimated branded searches, -7.4% vs prior month. Share -2.8 points.

  3. 3.Whitestone Cheese

    20.8%

    Held 3rd. 1.6K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.

  4. 4.Puhoi Valley

    13%

    Held 4th. 1K estimated branded searches, -23.1% vs prior month. Share -4.6 points.

  5. 5.Over the Moon Dairy

    4.2%

    Held 5th. 320 estimated branded searches, +23.1% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.

  6. 6.Kāpiti

    3.3%

    Moved from 7th to 6th. 250 estimated branded searches, +25% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.

  7. 7.Perfect Italiano

    2%

    Moved from 6th to 7th. 150 estimated branded searches, -28.6% vs prior month. Share -0.9 points.

  8. 8.Anchor

    0.13%

    Held 8th. 10 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Mainland and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Mainland

13 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Mainland changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Mainland in New Zealand rose from 1.7K to 2.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mainland’s share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand increased from 16% to 22.7%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mainland’s share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand peaked at 25.5% in August 2026 and was lowest at 7.4% in December 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mainland rose from 3rd to 2nd among cheese brands in New Zealand.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand cheese brands in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Kāpiti overtook Perfect Italiano to rank 6th among cheese brands in New Zealand, with 3.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Barry's Bay gained share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand, from 26% to 34%.

  3. In September 2026, Over the Moon Dairy gained share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand, from 3.5% to 4.2%.

  4. In September 2026, Puhoi Valley lost share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand, from 17.6% to 13%.

  5. In September 2026, Mainland lost share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand, from 25.5% to 22.7%.

  6. In September 2026, Perfect Italiano lost share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand, from 2.8% to 2%.

How are Mainland’s branded searches counted?

14 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mainland’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.

  • cheese mainland
  • mainland brie
  • mainland butter
  • mainland butter organic
  • mainland butter soft
  • mainland cheddar
  • mainland cheese
  • mainland cheese colby
  • mainland cheese crackers
  • mainland edam cheese
  • mainland grated cheese
  • mainland mild cheese
  • mainland parmesan cheese
  • mainland tasty cheese

Do you work for Mainland? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Mainland compete?

Mainland is ranked in two competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Butter brands6th of 84.4%Show ranking
Cheese brands2nd of 822.7%Shown above
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Is Mainland your brand?

Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.

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