---
title: "Ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the ambulance and rescue charities New Zealanders donate to and volunteer with. Share of Search among St John, Wellington Free Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NZ, Coastguard NZ and Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the ambulance and rescue charities Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-ambulance-and-rescue-charities"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand: Which are searched most?

Compare the ambulance and rescue charities New Zealanders donate to and volunteer with. Share of Search among St John, Wellington Free Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NZ, Coastguard NZ and Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the ambulance and rescue charities Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Ambulance and rescue charities
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 5
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: St John, 56.3%

## Which brand is most popular in search among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand?

- In September 2026, St John was the most searched among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand, with an estimated 9.9K branded searches, 56.3% of all searches for the five we track.
- Wellington Free Ambulance is in 2nd place, 41.1 percentage points behind at 15.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, St John’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand increased from 54.7% to 56.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wellington Free Ambulance’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand increased from 10.2% to 15.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Surf Life Saving NZ’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand decreased from 16% to 13.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Coastguard NZ’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand decreased from 13.3% to 9.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, St John’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand peaked at 61.4% in July 2026 and was lowest at 46.6% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wellington Free Ambulance’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand peaked at 15.1% in September 2026 and was lowest at 9.4% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Surf Life Saving NZ’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand peaked at 18.1% in November 2025 and was lowest at 7.9% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Coastguard NZ’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand peaked at 24.3% in December 2025 and was lowest at 8.6% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Westpac Rescue Helicopter’s share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand peaked at 9.9% in May 2026 and was lowest at 5.3% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wellington Free Ambulance rose from 4th to 2nd among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Surf Life Saving NZ fell from 2nd to 3rd among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Coastguard NZ fell from 3rd to 4th among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Westpac Rescue Helicopter held steady: its share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top ambulance and rescue charities in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, St John and Wellington Free Ambulance were mentioned most often, in three of the four answers. St John was recommended most often, coming first in all three answers that gave a list. Wellington Free Ambulance was second, and Westpac Rescue Helicopter was third.

Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options.

| Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | Google AI Overviews that named it | All answers that named it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| St John | 1st | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Wellington Free Ambulance | 2nd | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 3rd | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Coastguard NZ | 4th | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Surf Life Saving NZ | 5th | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 |

## Every AI answer about ambulance and rescue charities

- Asked ChatGPT "Which ambulance and rescue charity should I join in New Zealand?": 1. St John, 2. Wellington Free Ambulance, 3. Coastguard NZ
- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand?": 1. St John, 2. Wellington Free Ambulance, 3. Surf Life Saving NZ, 4. Westpac Rescue Helicopter
- Asked ChatGPT "What's the best ambulance and rescue charity in New Zealand for community support?": 1. St John, 2. Wellington Free Ambulance, 3. Westpac Rescue Helicopter, 4. Coastguard NZ
- Searched Google, AI Overview "rescue charity nz": named none of the brands we track

Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [St John vs Wellington Free Ambulance: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/st-john-vs-wellington-free-ambulance): 56.3% against 15.1% Share of Search.
- [St John vs Surf Life Saving NZ: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/st-john-vs-surf-life-saving-nz): 56.3% against 13.6% Share of Search.
- [St John vs Coastguard NZ: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/coastguard-nz-vs-st-john): 56.3% against 9.1% Share of Search.
- [St John vs Westpac Rescue Helicopter: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/st-john-vs-westpac-rescue-helicopter): 56.3% against 5.9% Share of Search.
- [Wellington Free Ambulance vs Surf Life Saving NZ: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/surf-life-saving-nz-vs-wellington-free-ambulance): 15.1% against 13.6% Share of Search.
- [Wellington Free Ambulance vs Coastguard NZ: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/coastguard-nz-vs-wellington-free-ambulance): 15.1% against 9.1% Share of Search.
- [Wellington Free Ambulance vs Westpac Rescue Helicopter: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/wellington-free-ambulance-vs-westpac-rescue-helicopter): 15.1% against 5.9% Share of Search.
- [Surf Life Saving NZ vs Coastguard NZ: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/coastguard-nz-vs-surf-life-saving-nz): 13.6% against 9.1% Share of Search.
- [Surf Life Saving NZ vs Westpac Rescue Helicopter: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/surf-life-saving-nz-vs-westpac-rescue-helicopter): 13.6% against 5.9% Share of Search.
- [Coastguard NZ vs Westpac Rescue Helicopter: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/coastguard-nz-vs-westpac-rescue-helicopter): 9.1% against 5.9% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand ambulance and rescue charities in September 2026?

- In September 2026, Wellington Free Ambulance gained share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand, from 14.4% to 15.1%.
- In September 2026, Westpac Rescue Helicopter gained share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand, from 5.3% to 5.9%.
- In September 2026, St John lost share of searches among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand, from 57.7% to 56.3%.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Coastguard NZ in New Zealand fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 2.4K to 1.6K in September 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Surf Life Saving NZ in New Zealand fell 17.2% over 12 measured months, from 2.9K to 2.4K in September 2026.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | St John | 56.3% | 9.9K | 0.0% | St John |
| 2 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 15.1% | 2.7K | +7.7% | Wellington Free Ambulance |
| 3 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 13.6% | 2.4K | 0.0% | Surf Life Saving New Zealand |
| 4 | Coastguard NZ | 9.1% | 1.6K | +8.1% | Coastguard New Zealand |
| 5 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 5.9% | 1K | +14.3% | Westpac Rescue Helicopter |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | St John | 9.9K | 54.7% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 2.9K | 16% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Coastguard NZ | 2.4K | 13.3% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 1.8K | 10.2% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1.1K | 5.8% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | St John | 9.9K | 49.9% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 3.6K | 18.1% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Coastguard NZ | 3.1K | 15.6% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 1.9K | 9.7% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1.3K | 6.7% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | St John | 8.1K | 46.6% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Coastguard NZ | 4.2K | 24.3% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 1.9K | 10.9% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 1.8K | 10.6% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1.3K | 7.7% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 49.9% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 3.9K | 19.4% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 2.9K | 14.6% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 1.9K | 9.4% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1.3K | 6.7% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 54.3% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 2.8K | 15.4% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 2.4K | 13.2% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 2.1K | 11.5% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1K | 5.7% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 56.3% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 2.4K | 13.6% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 2.3K | 13% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 2K | 11.3% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1K | 5.9% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 61.1% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 1.9K | 11.4% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 1.8K | 11.3% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 1.6K | 9.9% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1K | 6.4% | 5 |
| May 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 59.8% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 2.1K | 13% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1.6K | 9.9% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 1.6K | 9.5% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 1.3K | 7.9% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 60.2% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 1.8K | 11.1% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 1.8K | 10.9% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 1.6K | 9.7% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1.3K | 8.1% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 61.4% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 2.1K | 13.1% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 1.6K | 9.9% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 1.5K | 9.1% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1K | 6.4% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 57.7% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 2.5K | 14.4% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 2.4K | 14% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 1.5K | 8.6% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 910 | 5.3% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | St John | 9.9K | 56.3% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Wellington Free Ambulance | 2.7K | 15.1% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | Surf Life Saving NZ | 2.4K | 13.6% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Coastguard NZ | 1.6K | 9.1% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Westpac Rescue Helicopter | 1K | 5.9% | 5 |

## What is being compared

- **Coastguard NZ**: Measured on the search terms “coastguard membership”, “coastguard membership nz”, “coastguard nz”, “coastguard nz app”, “coastguard nz logo”, “coastguard nz membership”, “coastguard taranaki”, “coastguard volunteer nz”, “join coastguard nz”, “nz coastguard membership”, “volunteer coastguard nz” and “wanganui coastguard”, summed into one figure.
- **St John**: Measured on the search term “st john”.
- **Surf Life Saving NZ**: Measured on the search terms “slsnz”, “surf life saving nz” and “surf lifesaving nz”, summed into one figure.
- **Wellington Free Ambulance**: Measured on the search terms “wellington ambulance”, “wellington free ambulance”, “wellington free ambulance address”, “wellington free ambulance donations”, “wellington free ambulance logo”, “wellington free ambulance service” and “wellington free ambulance volunteer”, summed into one figure.
- **Westpac Rescue Helicopter**: Measured on the search terms “westpac choppers”, “westpac helicopter”, “westpac helicopter service”, “westpac helicopter today”, “westpac helicopter trust”, “westpac rescue”, “westpac rescue chopper”, “westpac rescue helicopter”, “westpac rescue helicopter service” and “westpac rescue helicopter today”, summed into one figure.

- [Coastguard NZ](/demand/nz/brands/coastguard-nz)
- [St John](/demand/nz/brands/st-john)
- [Surf Life Saving NZ](/demand/nz/brands/surf-life-saving-nz)
- [Wellington Free Ambulance](/demand/nz/brands/wellington-free-ambulance)
- [Westpac Rescue Helicopter](/demand/nz/brands/westpac-rescue-helicopter)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand?

In September 2026, St John was the most searched among ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand, with an estimated 9.9K branded searches, 56.3% of all searches for the five we track.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Ambulance and rescue charities in New Zealand: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-ambulance-and-rescue-charities

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-ambulance-and-rescue-charities. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.