Barfoot & Thompson vs Ray White:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In September 2026, Ray White had more branded searches than Barfoot & Thompson among residential real estate agencies in New Zealand. Ray White had about 20,100 branded searches, while Barfoot & Thompson had 18,100. Ray White made up 19.6% of all residential real estate agency searches we track, and Barfoot & Thompson accounted for 17.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about residential real estate agencies, Ray White appeared in all four answers and Barfoot & Thompson in three. Ray White was mentioned before Barfoot & Thompson in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Ray White, about 11% more searches than Barfoot & Thompson
Who does AI mention more?
Ray White, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Ray White, named ahead of Barfoot & Thompson in 3 of 4 answers
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Top residential real estate agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Ray White appeared in all four answers. Barfoot & Thompson was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Ray White was listed before Barfoot & Thompson in three out of four 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.
- Ray White4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Barfoot & Thompson3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about residential real estate agencies
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which residential real estate agency should I hire in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best residential real estate agencies in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best residential real estate agency in New Zealand for a house?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“residential real estate agency”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“real estate agents nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Barfoot & Thompson or Ray White more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Barfoot & Thompson and Ray White by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 residential real estate agencies we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Ray White, Barfoot & Thompson. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Ray White | Barfoot & Thompson |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 21.9% | 19.8% |
| Dec 2025 | 19.6% | 17.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 18.7% | 20.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 21.3% | 19.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 19.9% | 22.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 20.4% | 18.4% |
| May 2026 | 19.2% | 17.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 20.5% | 18.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 21.9% | 19.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 20.4% | 18.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 19.6% | 17.6% |
| Oct 2026 | — | — |
How has branded search for Barfoot & Thompson and Ray White changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 11 months ending September 2026: Barfoot & Thompson took it in January 2026, Ray White took it in February 2026, Barfoot & Thompson took it in March 2026, Ray White took it in April 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Barfoot & Thompson’s share of searches among residential real estate agencies in New Zealand moved from 19.8% to 17.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.2K to 18.1K.
- Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Ray White’s share of searches among residential real estate agencies in New Zealand moved from 21.9% to 19.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 24.6K to 20.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand residential real estate agencies in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Ray White lost share of searches among residential real estate agencies in New Zealand, from 20.4% to 19.6%.
In September 2026, Barfoot & Thompson lost share of searches among residential real estate agencies in New Zealand, from 18.3% to 17.6%.
How are Barfoot & Thompson’s and Ray White’s branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Barfoot & Thompson’s and Ray White’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.
Barfoot & Thompson
3 branded search terms
- barfoot & thompson
- barfoot and thompson
- barfoot thompson
Ray White
7 branded search terms
- ray white
- ray white agents
- ray white hamilton
- ray white otaki
- ray white tauranga
- raywhite ashburton
- raywhite queenstown
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