AAT Kings vs RealNZ:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, RealNZ had more branded searches than AAT Kings among tour operators in New Zealand. RealNZ had about 7,420 branded searches, while AAT Kings had 260. RealNZ made up 22.3% of all tour operator searches we track, and AAT Kings accounted for 0.78%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tour operators, AAT Kings appeared in three of the five answers and RealNZ in none.
Who do people search for more?
RealNZ, about 29 searches for every 1 for AAT Kings
Who does AI mention more?
AAT Kings, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, RealNZ in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
AAT Kings, the only one of the two named
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Top tour operators in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, AAT Kings was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and 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.
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
See every answer about tour operators
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which tour operator should I book in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best tour operators in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best tour operator in New Zealand for guided trips?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“new zealand tours”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“group tours nz”
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 AAT Kings or RealNZ more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for AAT Kings 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.
Share of searches by month for RealNZ, AAT Kings. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Flying Kiwi | RealNZ | Contiki | Intrepid Travel | G Adventures | Kiwi Experience | Topdeck | Cheeky Kiwi Travel | AAT Kings | Wild Kiwi Adventure Tours | Grand Pacific Tours | Stray | Haka Tours | MoaTrek New Zealand Tours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 9.2% | 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 2025 | 12.1% | 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 2025 | 10% | 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 2026 | 1.7% | 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 2026 | 8.3% | 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 2026 | 15.9% | 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 2026 | 9.3% | 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 2026 | 23.4% | 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 2026 | 25.4% | 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 2026 | 18.3% | 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 2026 | 29.1% | 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 2026 | 24.4% | 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 AAT Kings and RealNZ comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- RealNZ was ahead of AAT Kings in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AAT Kings’ share of searches among tour operators in New Zealand moved from 1% to 0.78%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 260.
- 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
In September 2026, RealNZ overtook Contiki to rank 2nd among tour operators in New Zealand, with 22.3% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for AAT Kings in New Zealand fell 18.8% over 12 measured months, from 320 to 260 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
12 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AAT Kings’ 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.
Other head-to-heads among tour operators
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