Open Polytechnic vs Unitec:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Open Polytechnic had more branded searches than Unitec among polytechnics in New Zealand. Open Polytechnic had about 43,000 branded searches, while Unitec had 12,500. Open Polytechnic made up 33.1% of all polytechnic searches we track, and Unitec accounted for 9.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about polytechnics, Unitec appeared in all five answers and Open Polytechnic in three. Unitec was mentioned before Open Polytechnic in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Open Polytechnic, about 3 searches for every 1 for Unitec
Who does AI mention more?
Unitec, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Unitec, named ahead of Open Polytechnic in 4 of 5 answers
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Top polytechnics in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Unitec appeared in all five answers. Open Polytechnic was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Unitec was listed before Open Polytechnic in four out of five answers.
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.
- Unitec5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Otago Polytechnic4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ara Institute of Canterbury4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Open Polytechnic3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Wintec3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Manukau Institute of Technology3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
SIT3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Southern Institute of Technology3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Whitireia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- WelTec2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about polytechnics
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which polytechnic should I go to in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best polytechnics in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best polytechnic in New Zealand for vocational study?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“polytechnics nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“diploma courses nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Open Polytechnic or Unitec more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Open Polytechnic and Unitec by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 polytechnics we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Open Polytechnic, Unitec. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Open Polytechnic | Otago Polytechnic | Unitec | Toi Ohomai | Ara Institute of Canterbury | Wintec | Whitireia | Manukau Institute of Technology | SIT | UCOL | Southern Institute of Technology | NMIT | WelTec | NorthTec | EIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 30.6% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 6.6% | 7.4% | 7.2% | 6.6% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 0.26% |
| Nov 2025 | 33.1% | 9.5% | 9.6% | 6.8% | 7.2% | 7.8% | 5.3% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 3% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 0.22% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.5% | 9.1% | 9.2% | 6.6% | 6.1% | 6.2% | 2.7% | 4.1% | 4.5% | 3.4% | 3.9% | 2.2% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.26% |
| Jan 2026 | 34.5% | 10% | 8.2% | 7.1% | 6.7% | 6.8% | 2.6% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 3.8% | 4.3% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.34% |
| Feb 2026 | 28.3% | 9.9% | 10% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 8.2% | 5.1% | 4.4% | 3.2% | 3.8% | 2.9% | 3% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 0.24% |
| Mar 2026 | 27.9% | 12% | 9.8% | 8.6% | 8.9% | 6.6% | 6.1% | 4.3% | 3.2% | 3% | 2.8% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.7% | 0.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.7% | 10.3% | 8.5% | 6.3% | 8.1% | 7% | 5.2% | 3.8% | 3.5% | 2.6% | 3% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.21% |
| May 2026 | 30.6% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 7.8% | 8.1% | 8.9% | 5.5% | 3.9% | 3.6% | 2.7% | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2% | 1.5% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 30.9% | 10.9% | 9% | 7.9% | 7.8% | 7.4% | 4.8% | 4% | 4.4% | 2.8% | 3.9% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 0.27% |
| Jul 2026 | 30.3% | 10.7% | 10.8% | 6.7% | 8.6% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 4.7% | 3.5% | 3.3% | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 0.24% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.3% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 8% | 8.6% | 7.2% | 5.1% | 3.9% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 2.5% | 1.8% | 0.23% |
| Sep 2026 | 33.1% | 9.7% | 9.6% | 8.8% | 8.4% | 6.5% | 5.1% | 3.5% | 3.2% | 3% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 0.24% |
How has the Open Polytechnic and Unitec comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Open Polytechnic was ahead of Unitec in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Open Polytechnic’s share of searches among polytechnics in New Zealand moved from 30.6% to 33.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 43.6K to 43K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Unitec’s share of searches among polytechnics in New Zealand moved from 8.8% to 9.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 12.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand polytechnics in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Open Polytechnic gained share of searches among polytechnics in New Zealand, from 30.3% to 33.1%.
In September 2026, Unitec gained share of searches among polytechnics in New Zealand, from 8.8% to 9.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
21 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Open Polytechnic’s and Unitec’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.
Open Polytechnic
14 branded search terms
- iqualify open polytechnic
- my open polytechnic
- open polytechnic
- open polytechnic accounting
- open polytechnic address
- open polytechnic courses
- open polytechnic ece
- open polytechnic enrol
- open polytechnic enrolment
- open polytechnic iqualify
- open polytechnic psychology
- openpolytechnic
- openpolytechnic courses
- the open polytechnic
Unitec
7 branded search terms
- unitec
- unitec courses
- unitec enrol
- unitec gym
- unitec library hours
- unitec sports centre
- unitec study
Other head-to-heads among polytechnics
- Open Polytechnic vs Otago Polytechnic: compare popularity
Open Polytechnic vs Toi Ohomai: compare popularity- Open Polytechnic vs Ara Institute of Canterbury: compare popularity
- Otago Polytechnic vs Unitec: compare popularity
- Otago Polytechnic vs Toi Ohomai: compare popularity
- Otago Polytechnic vs Ara Institute of Canterbury: compare popularity
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