Brandwave

Contiki vs RealNZ:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, RealNZ had more branded searches than Contiki among tour operators in New Zealand. RealNZ had about 7,420 branded searches, while Contiki had 6,120. RealNZ made up 22.3% of all tour operator searches we track, and Contiki accounted for 18.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tour operators, Contiki appeared in one of the five answers and RealNZ in none.

Among tour operators in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

RealNZ, about 21% more searches than Contiki

RealNZ 7.4K searchesContiki 6.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Contiki, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, RealNZ in 0

Contiki in 1 of 5RealNZ in 0 of 5

Follow Contiki vs RealNZ 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 tour operators in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Contiki was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. RealNZ did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. MoaTrek New Zealand Tours1st
  2. Intrepid Travel2nd
  3. Grand Pacific Tours3rd
  4. AAT Kings4th
  5. G Adventures5th
  6. Cheeky Kiwi Travel6th
  7. Wild Kiwi Adventure Tours6th
  8. Kiwi Experience8th
  9. Contiki9th
  10. +1 more
  11. RealNZ–
  12. +3 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • MoaTrek New Zealand Tours5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Intrepid Travel4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • G Adventures3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Cheeky Kiwi Travel3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • AAT Kings3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Grand Pacific Tours3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Wild Kiwi Adventure Tours2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Contiki1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Kiwi Experience1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • RealNZ0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+4 more

See every answer about tour operators

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

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

Is Contiki or RealNZ more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Contiki and RealNZ by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 tour operators we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Contiki and RealNZ among tour operators in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for RealNZ, Contiki. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFlying KiwiRealNZContikiIntrepid TravelG AdventuresKiwi ExperienceTopdeckCheeky Kiwi TravelAAT KingsWild Kiwi Adventure ToursGrand Pacific ToursStrayHaka ToursMoaTrek New Zealand Tours
Oct 20259.2%28.8%24.1%10.3%10%6.3%4.1%2.8%1%0.66%0.82%0.47%1.2%0.28%
Nov 202512.1%26.5%20.7%13.6%10.1%6.8%3.6%2.7%0.87%0.87%0.46%0.38%0.87%0.25%
Dec 202510%32.2%20.6%13.1%8.9%6.9%2.7%2.7%0.58%0.88%0.47%0.22%0.58%0.14%
Jan 20261.7%27.6%23.9%18.2%11.2%8.5%3.7%2.3%0.74%0.74%0.48%0.35%0.48%0.12%
Feb 20268.3%27.5%19.2%15.2%10.9%8.4%3.7%2.8%1.3%1.1%0.59%0.37%0.48%0.25%
Mar 202615.9%28.7%18.3%9.9%9.5%7.2%2.6%2.9%1.7%0.94%0.61%0.44%0.94%0.26%
Apr 20269.3%29.3%22.9%10.7%9.9%4.3%3.2%2.3%1%0.67%0.67%0.32%5.1%0.29%
May 202623.4%21.5%21.6%12.1%9.5%2.6%2.9%1.7%0.92%1.7%0.6%0.29%0.92%0.26%
Jun 202625.4%18.8%23.7%10.6%10.2%2.3%3.2%1.8%1%1.2%0.34%0.34%0.81%0.28%
Jul 202618.3%24.5%25.7%9.7%10.9%2.6%3%2%1.1%0.71%0.37%0.3%0.57%0.3%
Aug 202629.1%21.6%21.8%9.9%7.6%2.7%2.9%1.7%0.76%0.76%0.41%0.21%0.41%0.21%
Sep 202624.4%22.3%18.4%14.7%9.4%3.1%2.7%1.8%0.78%0.78%0.63%0.45%0.33%0.27%

How has the Contiki and RealNZ comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Contiki took it in May 2026, RealNZ took it in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Contiki’s share of searches among tour operators in New Zealand moved from 24.1% to 18.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7.7K to 6.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, RealNZ’s share of searches among tour operators in New Zealand moved from 28.8% to 22.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.2K to 7.4K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand tour operators in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, RealNZ overtook Contiki to rank 2nd among tour operators in New Zealand, with 22.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Contiki lost share of searches among tour operators in New Zealand, from 21.8% to 18.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

19 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Contiki’s and RealNZ’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.

Contiki

8 branded search terms

  • african contiki
  • contiki
  • contiki euro
  • contiki european tours
  • contiki my
  • contiki tour
  • contiki trip
  • euro contiki

RealNZ

11 branded search terms

  • real nz
  • realnz
  • realnz cruises
  • realnz doubtful sound
  • realnz earnslaw
  • realnz jet boat
  • realnz rafting
  • realnz rafting base
  • realnz tours
  • realnz walter peak
  • tss earnslaw realnz

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among tour operators

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