Brandwave

Mainland vs Whitestone Cheese:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Mainland had more branded searches than Whitestone Cheese among cheese brands in New Zealand. Mainland had about 1,740 branded searches, while Whitestone Cheese had 1,600. Mainland made up 22.7% of all cheese brand searches we track, and Whitestone Cheese accounted for 20.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cheese brands, Mainland and Whitestone Cheese each appeared in three of the four answers. Whitestone Cheese was mentioned before Mainland in two out of three answers.

Among cheese brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Mainland, about 9% more searches than Whitestone Cheese

Mainland 1.7K searchesWhitestone Cheese 1.6K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 4 answers.

Mainland in 3 of 4Whitestone Cheese in 3 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Whitestone Cheese, named ahead of Mainland in 2 of 3 answers

Whitestone Cheese first in 2Mainland first in 1

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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. Whitestone Cheese was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Whitestone Cheese was listed before Mainland in two out of three answers.

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.

Is Mainland or Whitestone Cheese more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Mainland and Whitestone Cheese by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight cheese brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Mainland and Whitestone Cheese among cheese brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Mainland, Whitestone Cheese. 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%

How has the Mainland and Whitestone Cheese comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Mainland took it in April 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mainland’s share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand moved from 16% to 22.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 1.7K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Whitestone Cheese’s share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand moved from 21.7% to 20.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.9K to 1.6K.

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

2 changes

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

  2. In September 2026, Whitestone Cheese lost share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand, from 21.7% to 20.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

15 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mainland’s and Whitestone Cheese’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Mainland

11 branded search terms

  • cheese mainland
  • mainland brie
  • 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

Whitestone Cheese

4 branded search terms

  • whitestone
  • whitestone cheese
  • whitestone halloumi
  • whitestonecheese

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among cheese brands

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