Dark Sky Project vs Tekapo Star Gazing:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Dark Sky Project had more branded searches than Tekapo Star Gazing among stargazing tours in New Zealand. Dark Sky Project had about 9,950 branded searches, while Tekapo Star Gazing had 4,970. Dark Sky Project made up 58.1% of all stargazing tour searches we track, and Tekapo Star Gazing accounted for 29%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stargazing tours, Dark Sky Project appeared in all five answers and Tekapo Star Gazing in one. Dark Sky Project was mentioned before Tekapo Star Gazing in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Dark Sky Project, about 2 searches for every 1 for Tekapo Star Gazing
Who does AI mention more?
Dark Sky Project, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Dark Sky Project, named ahead of Tekapo Star Gazing in every answer
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Top stargazing tours in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Dark Sky Project appeared in all five answers. Tekapo Star Gazing was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Dark Sky Project was listed before Tekapo Star Gazing 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.
Dark Sky Project5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Big Sky Stargazing4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Silver River Stargazing3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Chameleon Stargazing2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Good Heavens2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tekapo Star Gazing1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about stargazing tours
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which stargazing tour should I book in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best stargazing tours in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best stargazing tour in New Zealand for dark sky viewing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“night sky tour”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“stargazing tours nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Dark Sky Project or Tekapo Star Gazing more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Dark Sky Project and Tekapo Star Gazing by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six stargazing tours we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Dark Sky Project, Tekapo Star Gazing. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Dark Sky Project | Tekapo Star Gazing | Silver River Stargazing | Big Sky Stargazing | Chameleon Stargazing | Good Heavens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 48.2% | 20% | 7.8% | 2.3% | 21.4% | 0.36% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.2% | 26.2% | 9.2% | 3.2% | 14% | 0.29% |
| Jan 2026 | 54.7% | 30.6% | 8.8% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 0.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 55.3% | 30.5% | 8.6% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.2% | 31.9% | 10.3% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 0.47% |
| Apr 2026 | 57.9% | 28.8% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 0.43% |
| May 2026 | 56.2% | 31.4% | 7.3% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 0.23% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.3% | 36.3% | 9.4% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 0.29% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.8% | 33.4% | 7% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 0.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 55.5% | 30.4% | 8.8% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 0.27% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.8% | 28.9% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 0.41% |
| Oct 2026 | 58.1% | 29% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.41% |
How has branded search for Dark Sky Project and Tekapo Star Gazing changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Dark Sky Project was ahead of Tekapo Star Gazing in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Dark Sky Project’s share of searches among stargazing tours in New Zealand moved from 48.2% to 58.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.9K to 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Tekapo Star Gazing’s share of searches among stargazing tours in New Zealand moved from 20% to 29%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.2K to 5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand stargazing tours in October 2026?
2 changes

Dark Sky Project’s share of searches among stargazing tours in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 52.8% to 58.1% in October 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Tekapo Star Gazing in New Zealand fell 19.4% over 12 measured months, from 6.2K to 5K in October 2026.
How are Dark Sky Project’s and Tekapo Star Gazing’s branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dark Sky Project’s and Tekapo Star Gazing’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.
Dark Sky Project
4 branded search terms
- dark sky project
- dark sky project stargazing
- darkskyproject
- the dark sky project
Tekapo Star Gazing
4 branded search terms
- tekapo chinese stargazing
- tekapo star gazing
- tekapo star gazing tour
- tekapostargazing
Other head-to-heads among stargazing tours

Dark Sky Project vs Silver River Stargazing: compare popularity
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Tekapo Star Gazing vs Silver River Stargazing: compare popularity
Tekapo Star Gazing vs Big Sky Stargazing: compare popularity
Silver River Stargazing vs Big Sky Stargazing: compare popularity

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