Anchor vs Whitestone Cheese:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Whitestone Cheese had more branded searches than Anchor among cheese brands in New Zealand. Whitestone Cheese had about 1,600 branded searches, while Anchor had 10. Whitestone Cheese made up 20.8% of all cheese brand searches we track, and Anchor accounted for 0.13%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cheese brands, Whitestone Cheese appeared in three of the four answers and Anchor in one. Whitestone Cheese was mentioned before Anchor in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Whitestone Cheese, about 160 searches for every 1 for Anchor
Who does AI mention more?
Whitestone Cheese, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Anchor in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Whitestone Cheese, named ahead of Anchor in 2 of 3 answers
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Top cheese brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Whitestone Cheese was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Anchor was mentioned in one out of four: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in the Google AI Overview. Whitestone Cheese was listed before Anchor in two out of three 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.
Mainland3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Whitestone Cheese3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Kāpiti3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Barry's Bay2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Puhoi Valley2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Over the Moon Dairy1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Anchor1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Perfect Italiano0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about cheese brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cheese brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cheese brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cheese brand in New Zealand for everyday cooking?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheese brands nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cheese for toast”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Anchor or Whitestone Cheese more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Anchor and Whitestone Cheese by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight cheese brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Whitestone Cheese, Anchor. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Barry's Bay | Mainland | Whitestone Cheese | Puhoi Valley | Over the Moon Dairy | Kāpiti | Perfect Italiano | Anchor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.8% | 16% | 21.7% | 15.3% | 3.8% | 2.7% | 2.6% | 0.12% |
| Nov 2025 | 38% | 12.6% | 26.6% | 12% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 0.12% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.5% | 7.4% | 23% | 7% | 25.2% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 0.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 41.4% | 14.5% | 19.7% | 13.5% | 5% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 0.31% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.1% | 15.7% | 21.7% | 11.2% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 0.11% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.9% | 17.7% | 20.9% | 10.9% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.11% |
| Apr 2026 | 39% | 20.8% | 19.7% | 12.3% | 3.2% | 2.8% | 2% | 0.12% |
| May 2026 | 32.1% | 22.6% | 19.1% | 16% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 3.7% | 0.25% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.1% | 22.7% | 21.6% | 13.9% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 3.2% | 0.14% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.2% | 23.2% | 21.8% | 14.1% | 3.7% | 3.2% | 2.7% | 0.14% |
| Aug 2026 | 26% | 25.5% | 21.7% | 17.6% | 3.5% | 2.7% | 2.8% | 0.14% |
| Sep 2026 | 34% | 22.7% | 20.8% | 13% | 4.2% | 3.3% | 2% | 0.13% |
How has the Anchor and Whitestone Cheese comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Whitestone Cheese was ahead of Anchor in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Anchor’s share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand moved from 0.12% to 0.13%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 10.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Whitestone Cheese’s share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand moved from 21.7% to 20.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.9K to 1.6K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cheese brands in September 2026?
1 change

In September 2026, Whitestone Cheese lost share of searches among cheese brands in New Zealand, from 21.7% to 20.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Anchor’s and Whitestone Cheese’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.
Anchor
1 branded search term
- anchor spreadable
Whitestone Cheese
4 branded search terms
- whitestone
- whitestone cheese
- whitestone halloumi
- whitestonecheese
Other head-to-heads among cheese brands

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