---
title: "Child and family charities in New Zealand: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the child and family charities New Zealanders donate to and volunteer with. Share of Search among Plunket, Barnardos Early Learning, Variety, IHC New Zealand, Starship Foundation, ChildFund New Zealand, Make-A-Wish NZ, Ronald McDonald House Charities and KidsCan, the child and family 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-child-and-family-charities"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Child and family charities in New Zealand: Which are searched most?

Compare the child and family charities New Zealanders donate to and volunteer with. Share of Search among Plunket, Barnardos Early Learning, Variety, IHC New Zealand, Starship Foundation, ChildFund New Zealand, Make-A-Wish NZ, Ronald McDonald House Charities and KidsCan, the child and family 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**: Child and family charities
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 9
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Plunket, 43.9%

## Which brand is most popular in search among child and family charities in New Zealand?

- In September 2026, Plunket was the most searched among child and family charities in New Zealand, with an estimated 5K branded searches, 43.9% of all searches for the nine we track.
- Barnardos Early Learning is in 2nd place, 22.9 percentage points behind at 20.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Plunket’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand increased from 40.5% to 43.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Barnardos Early Learning’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand decreased from 22.5% to 20.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Variety’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand increased from 10.4% to 12.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, IHC New Zealand’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand increased from 8.6% to 9.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starship Foundation’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand decreased from 8.5% to 6.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Make-A-Wish NZ’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand decreased from 3% to 2.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ronald McDonald House Charities’ share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand decreased from 3.7% to 1.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Plunket’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 50.6% in August 2026 and was lowest at 30.4% in February 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Barnardos Early Learning’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 25.1% in March 2026 and was lowest at 15.9% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Variety’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 21.9% in February 2026 and was lowest at 9.5% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, IHC New Zealand’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 10.1% in April 2026 and was lowest at 7.7% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Starship Foundation’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 9.6% in December 2025 and was lowest at 6.1% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ChildFund New Zealand’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 4% in March 2026 and was lowest at 2% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Make-A-Wish NZ’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 3.5% in April 2026 and was lowest at 2.3% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ronald McDonald House Charities’ share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand peaked at 7.7% in June 2026 and was lowest at 1.8% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ChildFund New Zealand rose from 8th to 6th among child and family charities in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ronald McDonald House Charities fell from 6th to 8th among child and family charities in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KidsCan held steady: its share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top child and family charities in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Barnardos Early Learning was mentioned most often, in three of the four answers. Barnardos Early Learning was recommended most often, coming first in one out of three answers that gave a list. KidsCan was second, and Variety was third. IHC New Zealand, which ranked fourth in searches, was not mentioned at all.

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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Barnardos Early Learning | 1st | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| KidsCan | 2nd | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Variety | 3rd | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Plunket | 4th | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 |
| ChildFund New Zealand | 5th | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities | 6th | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 |
| IHC New Zealand | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 4 |
| Starship Foundation | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 4 |
| Make-A-Wish NZ | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 4 |

## Every AI answer about child and family charities

- Asked ChatGPT "Which child and family charity should I join in New Zealand?": 1. Barnardos Early Learning, 2. Plunket
- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best child and family charities in New Zealand?": 1. KidsCan, 2. Barnardos Early Learning, 3. Variety, 4. Ronald McDonald House Charities, 5. ChildFund New Zealand
- Asked ChatGPT "What's the best child and family charity in New Zealand for supporting children?": 1. Variety, 2. KidsCan, 3. Barnardos Early Learning, 4. ChildFund New Zealand
- Searched Google, AI Overview "family support charity": named none of the brands we track

Not named in any answer: IHC New Zealand, Starship Foundation and Make-A-Wish NZ.

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

- [Plunket vs Barnardos Early Learning: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/barnardos-early-learning-vs-plunket): 43.9% against 20.9% Share of Search.
- [Plunket vs Variety: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/plunket-vs-variety-nz): 43.9% against 12.6% Share of Search.
- [Plunket vs IHC New Zealand: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/ihc-nz-vs-plunket): 43.9% against 9.3% Share of Search.
- [Plunket vs Starship Foundation: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/plunket-vs-starship-foundation): 43.9% against 6.5% Share of Search.
- [Barnardos Early Learning vs Variety: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/barnardos-early-learning-vs-variety-nz): 20.9% against 12.6% Share of Search.
- [Barnardos Early Learning vs IHC New Zealand: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/barnardos-early-learning-vs-ihc-nz): 20.9% against 9.3% Share of Search.
- [Barnardos Early Learning vs Starship Foundation: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/barnardos-early-learning-vs-starship-foundation): 20.9% against 6.5% Share of Search.
- [Variety vs IHC New Zealand: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/ihc-nz-vs-variety-nz): 12.6% against 9.3% Share of Search.
- [Variety vs Starship Foundation: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/starship-foundation-vs-variety-nz): 12.6% against 6.5% Share of Search.
- [IHC New Zealand vs Starship Foundation: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/ihc-nz-vs-starship-foundation): 9.3% against 6.5% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand child and family charities in September 2026?

- In September 2026, Barnardos Early Learning gained share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand, from 15.9% to 20.9%.
- In September 2026, Variety gained share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand, from 9.5% to 12.6%.
- In September 2026, IHC New Zealand gained share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand, from 7.7% to 9.3%.
- In September 2026, Plunket lost share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand, from 50.6% to 43.9%.
- In September 2026, Ronald McDonald House Charities lost share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand, from 4.9% to 1.8%.
- Make-A-Wish NZ’s share of searches among child and family charities in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 2.8% to 2.3% in September 2026.
- In September 2026, ChildFund New Zealand rose from 8th to 6th among child and family charities in New Zealand.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Starship Foundation in New Zealand fell 17.8% over 12 measured months, from 900 to 740 in September 2026.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Plunket | 43.9% | 5K | -16.9% | Plunket |
| 2 | Barnardos Early Learning | 20.9% | 2.4K | +26.3% | Barnardos Early Learning |
| 3 | Variety | 12.6% | 1.4K | +26.3% | Variety - The Children's Charity |
| 4 | IHC New Zealand | 9.3% | 1.1K | +16.3% | IHC New Zealand |
| 5 | Starship Foundation | 6.5% | 740 | +1.4% | Starship Foundation |
| 6 | ChildFund New Zealand | 2.8% | 320 | +6.7% | ChildFund New Zealand |
| 7 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 2.3% | 260 | -18.8% | Make-A-Wish New Zealand |
| 8 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 1.8% | 210 | -64.4% | Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand |
| — | KidsCan | — | — | — | KidsCan |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Plunket | 4.3K | 40.5% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Barnardos Early Learning | 2.4K | 22.5% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Variety | 1.1K | 10.4% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | IHC New Zealand | 920 | 8.6% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Starship Foundation | 900 | 8.5% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 390 | 3.7% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 320 | 3% | 7 |
| Oct 2025 | ChildFund New Zealand | 300 | 2.8% | 8 |
| Oct 2025 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Nov 2025 | Plunket | 4.3K | 38% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Variety | 2.1K | 18.8% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.9K | 16.9% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Starship Foundation | 1K | 9.2% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | IHC New Zealand | 930 | 8.3% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | ChildFund New Zealand | 410 | 3.6% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 320 | 2.8% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 260 | 2.3% | 8 |
| Nov 2025 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Dec 2025 | Plunket | 3.4K | 35.8% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Variety | 1.8K | 18.8% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.6K | 16.9% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | IHC New Zealand | 910 | 9.6% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Starship Foundation | 910 | 9.6% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | ChildFund New Zealand | 350 | 3.7% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 260 | 2.8% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 260 | 2.8% | 8 |
| Dec 2025 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Jan 2026 | Plunket | 3.5K | 38% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.9K | 20.5% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Variety | 1.4K | 15.2% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 750 | 8.1% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Starship Foundation | 750 | 8.1% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 350 | 3.8% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 320 | 3.5% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 260 | 2.8% | 8 |
| Jan 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Feb 2026 | Plunket | 2.9K | 30.4% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Variety | 2.1K | 21.9% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.9K | 19.7% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 930 | 9.6% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Starship Foundation | 910 | 9.4% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 320 | 3.3% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 280 | 2.9% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 260 | 2.7% | 8 |
| Feb 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Mar 2026 | Plunket | 3.7K | 31.9% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 2.9K | 25.1% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Variety | 1.8K | 15.7% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 1K | 9% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Starship Foundation | 1K | 8.8% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 460 | 4% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 320 | 2.8% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 320 | 2.8% | 8 |
| Mar 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Apr 2026 | Plunket | 3.6K | 39% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.9K | 20.7% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Variety | 1.1K | 12.4% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 930 | 10.1% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Starship Foundation | 740 | 8% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 320 | 3.5% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 320 | 3.5% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 260 | 2.8% | 8 |
| Apr 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| May 2026 | Plunket | 4.4K | 39% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 2.4K | 21.4% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Variety | 1.5K | 13.1% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Starship Foundation | 1.1K | 9.4% | 4 |
| May 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 1K | 9.3% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 390 | 3.5% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 260 | 2.3% | 7 |
| May 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 220 | 2% | 8 |
| May 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Jun 2026 | Plunket | 4.3K | 38.1% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.9K | 16.6% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Variety | 1.8K | 15.5% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 1.1K | 9.2% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Starship Foundation | 900 | 7.9% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 880 | 7.7% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 320 | 2.8% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 260 | 2.3% | 8 |
| Jun 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Jul 2026 | Plunket | 5.1K | 44.3% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.9K | 16.4% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Variety | 1.8K | 15.6% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 920 | 7.9% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Starship Foundation | 740 | 6.4% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 390 | 3.4% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 370 | 3.2% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 320 | 2.8% | 8 |
| Jul 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Aug 2026 | Plunket | 6K | 50.6% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 1.9K | 15.9% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Variety | 1.1K | 9.5% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 920 | 7.7% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Starship Foundation | 730 | 6.1% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 590 | 4.9% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 320 | 2.7% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 300 | 2.5% | 8 |
| Aug 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Plunket | 5K | 43.9% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Barnardos Early Learning | 2.4K | 20.9% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | Variety | 1.4K | 12.6% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | IHC New Zealand | 1.1K | 9.3% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Starship Foundation | 740 | 6.5% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | ChildFund New Zealand | 320 | 2.8% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Make-A-Wish NZ | 260 | 2.3% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Ronald McDonald House Charities | 210 | 1.8% | 8 |
| Sep 2026 | KidsCan | — | — | — |

## What is being compared

- **Barnardos Early Learning**: Measured on the search term “barnardos”.
- **ChildFund New Zealand**: Measured on the search terms “childfund” and “childfund nz”, summed into one figure.
- **IHC New Zealand**: Measured on the search terms “ihc new zealand”, “ihc new zealand incorporated” and “ihc nz”, summed into one figure.
- **KidsCan**: Measured on the search terms “kids can” and “kidscan”, summed into one figure.
- **Make-A-Wish NZ**: Measured on the search terms “make a wish foundation nz”, “make a wish new zealand” and “make a wish nz”, summed into one figure.
- **Plunket**: Measured on the search terms “plunket dunedin”, “plunket line”, “plunket lower hutt”, “plunket palmerston north”, “plunket papakura”, “plunket queenstown”, “plunket rotorua”, “plunketline”, “plunketline 0800” and “plunketline number”, summed into one figure.
- **Ronald McDonald House Charities**: Measured on the search term “ronald mcdonald house charities”.
- **Starship Foundation**: Measured on the search terms “starship foundation”, “starship foundation board”, “starshipfoundation” and “the starship foundation”, summed into one figure.
- **Variety**: Measured on the search terms “variety charity nz”, “variety club nz”, “variety nz” and “variety nz charity”, summed into one figure.

- [Barnardos Early Learning](/demand/nz/brands/barnardos-early-learning)
- [ChildFund New Zealand](/demand/nz/brands/childfund-nz)
- [IHC New Zealand](/demand/nz/brands/ihc-nz)
- [KidsCan](/demand/nz/brands/kidscan)
- [Make-A-Wish NZ](/demand/nz/brands/make-a-wish-nz)
- [Plunket](/demand/nz/brands/plunket)
- [Ronald McDonald House Charities](/demand/nz/brands/ronald-mcdonald-house)
- [Starship Foundation](/demand/nz/brands/starship-foundation)
- [Variety](/demand/nz/brands/variety-nz)

## 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 child and family charities in New Zealand?

In September 2026, Plunket was the most searched among child and family charities in New Zealand, with an estimated 5K branded searches, 43.9% of all searches for the nine we track.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Child and family charities in New Zealand: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-child-and-family-charities

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