Model paint brands in New Zealand:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, Tamiya was the most searched model paint brand in New Zealand, accounting for 52.2% of all searches among the five brands we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Tamiya, Vallejo and AK Interactive showed up in every answer. Vallejo was recommended most often, coming first in three out of five responses.
TamiyaShare of searches 52.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
VallejoShare of searches 29%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
CitadelShare of searches 10.1%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
AK InteractiveShare of searches 5.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd- Mr. HobbyShare of searches 3.6%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Follow model paint brands 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
Top model paint brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Tamiya, Vallejo and AK Interactive appeared every time. Vallejo was recommended most often, coming first in three out of five answers. Tamiya was second, and AK Interactive was third.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Vallejo1st
- Tamiya2nd
- AK Interactive3rd
- Mr. Hobby4th
- Citadel5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Tamiya5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Vallejo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- AK Interactive5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Citadel3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Mr. Hobby3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about model paint brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which model paint brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best model paint brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best model paint brand in New Zealand for a hobby project?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best model paint”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“model paint brands nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which model paint brands do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each model paint brand by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five model paint brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Tamiya, Vallejo, Citadel, AK Interactive, Mr. Hobby. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Tamiya | Vallejo | Citadel | AK Interactive | Mr. Hobby |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46.8% | 30.2% | 13.5% | 5.6% | 4% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.6% | 28.6% | 11.8% | 7.6% | 2.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.7% | 29% | 14.5% | 4.8% | 2.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.5% | 33.5% | 13.5% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.2% | 28.3% | 14.2% | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.4% | 35.3% | 15.1% | 5% | 2.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.7% | 29.5% | 13.2% | 7% | 4.7% |
| May 2026 | 47.1% | 34.6% | 11.1% | 4.6% | 2.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 50% | 26.3% | 14.4% | 5.9% | 3.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.1% | 27% | 12.1% | 6.4% | 3.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.3% | 31.5% | 11.4% | 6% | 2.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.2% | 29% | 10.1% | 5.1% | 3.6% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 52.2% | 720 | 0% | +3.9 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 29% | 400 | -14.9% | -2.6 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 10.1% | 140 | -17.6% | -1.3 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 5.1% | 70 | -22.2% | -1 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 3.6% | 50 | +25% | +0.9 points |
1.
Tamiya52.2%
Held 1st. 720 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +3.9 points.
2.
Vallejo29%
Held 2nd. 400 estimated branded searches, -14.9% vs prior month. Share -2.6 points.
3.
Citadel10.1%
Held 3rd. 140 estimated branded searches, -17.6% vs prior month. Share -1.3 points.
5.1%
Held 4th. 70 estimated branded searches, -22.2% vs prior month. Share -1 points.
3.6%
Held 5th. 50 estimated branded searches, +25% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among model paint brands in New Zealand?
5 brands
In September 2026, Tamiya was the most searched among model paint brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 720 branded searches, 52.2% of all searches for the five we track. Vallejo is in 2nd place, 23.2 percentage points behind at 29%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamiya | 46.8% → 52.2% | 52.2%Sep 2026 | 42.4%Mar 2026 | 1st |
| Vallejo | 30.2% → 29% | 35.3%Mar 2026 | 26.3%Jun 2026 | 2nd |
| Citadel | 13.5% → 10.1% | 15.1%Mar 2026 | 10.1%Sep 2026 | 3rd |
| AK Interactive | 5.6% → 5.1% | 7.6%Nov 2025 | 3.2%Jan 2026 | 4th |
| Mr. Hobby | 4% → 3.6% | 4.7%Apr 2026 | 2.1%Dec 2025 | 5th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tamiya’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand increased from 46.8% to 52.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vallejo’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand decreased from 30.2% to 29%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Citadel’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand decreased from 13.5% to 10.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tamiya’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand peaked at 52.2% in September 2026 and was lowest at 42.4% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vallejo’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand peaked at 35.3% in March 2026 and was lowest at 26.3% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Citadel’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand peaked at 15.1% in March 2026 and was lowest at 10.1% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AK Interactive’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand peaked at 7.6% in November 2025 and was lowest at 3.2% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mr. Hobby’s share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand peaked at 4.7% in April 2026 and was lowest at 2.1% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AK Interactive and Mr. Hobby held steady: their share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand model paint brands in September 2026?
5 changes
In September 2026, Tamiya gained share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand, from 48.3% to 52.2%.
In September 2026, Mr. Hobby gained share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand, from 2.7% to 3.6%.
In September 2026, Vallejo lost share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand, from 31.5% to 29%.
In September 2026, Citadel lost share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand, from 11.4% to 10.1%.
In September 2026, AK Interactive lost share of searches among model paint brands in New Zealand, from 6% to 5.1%.
Compare popularity between leading brands
- Tamiya vs Vallejo: compare popularity
- Tamiya vs Citadel: compare popularity
- Tamiya vs AK Interactive: compare popularity
- Tamiya vs Mr. Hobby: compare popularity
- Vallejo vs Citadel: compare popularity
- Vallejo vs AK Interactive: compare popularity
- Vallejo vs Mr. Hobby: compare popularity
- Citadel vs AK Interactive: compare popularity
- Citadel vs Mr. Hobby: compare popularity
- AK Interactive vs Mr. Hobby: compare popularity
- Compare any of these brands
See your own brand in this picture
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to your campaigns, spend and outcomes, so you can see what moved your numbers, not just that they moved.