Brandwave

Russell McVeagh vs Simpson Grierson:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson were level in searches among large commercial law firms in New Zealand, with an estimated 3K branded searches each, at 16.4% and 16.2% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about large commercial law firms, Russell McVeagh appeared in all five answers and Simpson Grierson in four. Russell McVeagh was mentioned before Simpson Grierson in four out of five answers.

Among large commercial law firms in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson are searched for about as often as each other.

Russell McVeagh 3K searchesSimpson Grierson 3K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Russell McVeagh, mentioned in every answer we collected

Russell McVeagh in 5 of 5Simpson Grierson in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Russell McVeagh, named ahead of Simpson Grierson in 4 of 5 answers

Russell McVeagh first in 4Simpson Grierson first in 1

Follow Russell McVeagh vs Simpson Grierson and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top large commercial law firms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Russell McVeagh appeared in all five answers. Simpson Grierson was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Russell McVeagh was listed before Simpson Grierson in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Bell Gully1st
  2. Chapman Tripp2nd
  3. Russell McVeagh3rd
  4. MinterEllisonRuddWatts4th
  5. Simpson Grierson5th
  6. Buddle Findlay6th
  7. DLA Piper7th
  8. Dentons8th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Russell McVeagh5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Chapman Tripp5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Bell Gully5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Simpson Grierson4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • MinterEllisonRuddWatts4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • DLA Piper3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Buddle Findlay2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Dentons2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about large commercial law firms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Russell McVeagh or Simpson Grierson more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight large commercial law firms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson among large commercial law firms in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Russell McVeagh, Simpson Grierson. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRussell McVeaghSimpson GriersonChapman TrippMinterEllisonRuddWattsBell GullyBuddle FindlayDentonsDLA Piper
Oct 202516.8%16.4%13.4%13.9%13.5%13.4%9.3%3.3%
Nov 202519.6%15.5%15.3%12.5%12.8%12.7%8.6%3.1%
Dec 202517%16.4%16.2%13.4%12.9%12.8%8.7%2.6%
Jan 202617.3%16.9%13.1%11.6%16.8%13.1%7.8%3.3%
Feb 202617.7%14%13.8%14.2%13.9%13.8%8.6%4.2%
Mar 202614.5%14.4%14.1%12%14.2%14.1%9.1%7.6%
Apr 202615.9%15.3%15.1%13%15.3%12.5%8.3%4.6%
May 202614.9%14.7%14.4%13%18%12%9.4%3.6%
Jun 202616.8%16.5%13.5%13.3%13.6%13.5%8.8%4%
Jul 202617.6%17.3%14.1%12.1%14.1%14.1%6.5%4.2%
Aug 202616.1%15.7%15.5%13.2%12.9%15.5%7.4%3.8%
Sep 202616.4%16.2%15.9%14.4%13.3%13.3%7.3%3.2%

How has the Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand large commercial law firms in September 2026?

0 changes

Neither Russell McVeagh nor Simpson Grierson moved beyond provider rounding among large commercial law firms in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Russell McVeagh’s and Simpson Grierson’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.

Russell McVeagh

3 branded search terms

  • Russell McVeagh
  • russell mcveagh lawyers
  • russell mcveagh queenstown

Simpson Grierson

3 branded search terms

  • simpson and grierson
  • Simpson Grierson
  • simpson grierson lawyers

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among large commercial law firms

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free