Onsen Hot Pools vs Waikite Valley Thermal Pools:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools had more branded searches than Onsen Hot Pools among hot pools in New Zealand. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools had about 11,500 branded searches, while Onsen Hot Pools had 8,610. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools made up 16.3% of all hot pool searches we track, and Onsen Hot Pools accounted for 12.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hot pools, Onsen Hot Pools appeared in all four answers and Waikite Valley Thermal Pools in two. Onsen Hot Pools was mentioned before Waikite Valley Thermal Pools in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, about 33% more searches than Onsen Hot Pools
Who does AI mention more?
Onsen Hot Pools, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Onsen Hot Pools, named ahead of Waikite Valley Thermal Pools in every answer
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Top hot pools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Onsen Hot Pools appeared in all four answers. Waikite Valley Thermal Pools was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Onsen Hot Pools was listed before Waikite Valley Thermal Pools in every answer.
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.
- Onsen Hot Pools4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Tekapo Springs4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Polynesian Spa3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Maruia Hot Springs3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Waikite Valley Thermal Pools2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Wairakei Terraces0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about hot pools
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which hot pool should I go to in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hot pools in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best hot pool in New Zealand for a relaxing soak?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hot pools nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“thermal pools nz”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Onsen Hot Pools or Waikite Valley Thermal Pools more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Onsen Hot Pools and Waikite Valley Thermal Pools by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven hot pool brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Waikite Valley Thermal Pools, Onsen Hot Pools. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Polynesian Spa | Waikite Valley Thermal Pools | Onsen Hot Pools | Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools | Maruia Hot Springs | Wairakei Terraces | Tekapo Springs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 34.1% | 13.9% | 12.3% | 11.5% | 12.4% | 8.5% | 7.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.5% | 14.3% | 8.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 9.2% | 6.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 33% | 13% | 10.2% | 13% | 13.8% | 10% | 7% |
| Feb 2026 | 37% | 11.9% | 10.9% | 11.9% | 12.7% | 9.2% | 6.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 30% | 15.1% | 11.4% | 12.6% | 15.4% | 9.2% | 6.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.4% | 15.7% | 12.3% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 10% | 5.7% |
| May 2026 | 28.8% | 14% | 16.2% | 10.4% | 13.8% | 10.9% | 6% |
| Jun 2026 | 24.4% | 11.8% | 20.5% | 10.3% | 14.2% | 11.2% | 7.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.7% | 16.1% | 13.4% | 9.6% | 13.2% | 12.8% | 7.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 28.7% | 11.7% | 16.3% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 13.2% | 7.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.3% | 15.4% | 14.2% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 11.5% | 6.3% |
| Oct 2026 | 32.2% | 16.3% | 12.2% | 11.8% | 11.8% | 10.2% | 5.6% |
How has branded search for Onsen Hot Pools and Waikite Valley Thermal Pools changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Onsen Hot Pools took it in May 2026, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools took it in July 2026, Onsen Hot Pools took it in August 2026, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Onsen Hot Pools’ share of searches among hot pools in New Zealand moved from 12.3% to 12.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10.1K to 8.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools’ share of searches among hot pools in New Zealand moved from 13.9% to 16.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.4K to 11.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand hot pools in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Waikite Valley Thermal Pools gained share of searches among hot pools in New Zealand, from 15.4% to 16.3%.
In October 2026, Onsen Hot Pools lost share of searches among hot pools in New Zealand, from 14.2% to 12.2%.
How are Onsen Hot Pools’ and Waikite Valley Thermal Pools’ branded searches counted?
12 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Onsen Hot Pools’ and Waikite Valley Thermal Pools’ 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.
Onsen Hot Pools
4 branded search terms
- onsen hot pools
- onsen hot pools photos
- onsen queenstown
- onsenhotpools
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
8 branded search terms
- waikite valley
- waikite valley accommodation
- waikite valley camping
- waikite valley hot pools
- waikite valley hot springs
- waikite valley lodge
- waikite valley pool
- waikite valley road
Other head-to-heads among hot pools
- Polynesian Spa vs Waikite Valley Thermal Pools: compare popularity
- Polynesian Spa vs Onsen Hot Pools: compare popularity
- Polynesian Spa vs Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools: compare popularity
- Polynesian Spa vs Maruia Hot Springs: compare popularity
- Waikite Valley Thermal Pools vs Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools: compare popularity
- Waikite Valley Thermal Pools vs Maruia Hot Springs: compare popularity
Put your own brand in this comparison
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