Brandwave

BNZ vs Kiwibank:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In September 2026, Kiwibank had more branded searches than BNZ among retail banks in New Zealand. Kiwibank had about 374,000 branded searches, while BNZ had 123,000. Kiwibank made up 16.5% of all retail bank searches we track, and BNZ accounted for 5.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about retail banks, both BNZ and Kiwibank appeared in all five answers. BNZ was mentioned before Kiwibank in every answer.

Among retail banks in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kiwibank, about 3 searches for every 1 for BNZ

Kiwibank 374K searchesBNZ 123K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

BNZ in 5 of 5Kiwibank in 5 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

BNZ, named ahead of Kiwibank in every answer

BNZ first in 5Kiwibank never first

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Top retail banks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both BNZ and Kiwibank showed up in all five answers. BNZ was listed before Kiwibank in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. BNZ1st
  2. Kiwibank2nd

Mentioned by AI

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

  • BNZ5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Kiwibank5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about retail banks

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which retail bank should I switch to in New Zealand?”

    1. 1BNZ
    2. 2Kiwibank

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best retail banks in New Zealand?”

    1. 3BNZ
    2. 4Kiwibank

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best retail bank in New Zealand for everyday banking?”

    1. 2BNZ
    2. 5Kiwibank

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best bank nz”

    1. 2BNZ
    2. 5Kiwibank

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “nz retail banks”

    1. 2BNZ
    2. 5Kiwibank

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is BNZ or Kiwibank more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for BNZ and Kiwibank by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten retail banks we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

BNZ and Kiwibank among retail banks in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKiwibankBNZ
Nov 202517.5%5.6%
Dec 202517.5%5.6%
Jan 202614.9%5.8%
Feb 202616.4%6.4%
Mar 202614.6%6.9%
Apr 202617.6%5.6%
May 202614.8%5.8%
Jun 202614.6%5.7%
Jul 202616.3%6.3%
Aug 202615.8%6.1%
Sep 202616.5%5.4%
Oct 2026——

How has branded search for BNZ and Kiwibank changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Kiwibank was ahead of BNZ in every measured month of the 11 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 11 months ending September 2026, BNZ’s share of searches among retail banks in New Zealand moved from 5.6% to 5.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 147K to 123K.
  • Across the 11 months ending September 2026, Kiwibank’s share of searches among retail banks in New Zealand moved from 17.5% to 16.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 456K to 374K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand retail banks in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Kiwibank gained share of searches among retail banks in New Zealand, from 15.8% to 16.5%.

  2. In September 2026, BNZ lost share of searches among retail banks in New Zealand, from 6.1% to 5.4%.

How are BNZ’s and Kiwibank’s branded searches counted?

19 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BNZ’s and Kiwibank’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.

BNZ

8 branded search terms

  • bnz
  • bnz banking
  • bnz credit card
  • bnz kiwisaver
  • bnz mortgage
  • bnz personal loan
  • bnz savings
  • bnz term deposit

Kiwibank

11 branded search terms

  • Kiwibank
  • kiwibank banking
  • kiwibank credit card
  • kiwibank home loan
  • kiwibank home loans
  • kiwibank kiwisaver
  • kiwibank mortgage
  • kiwibank mortgages
  • kiwibank personal loan
  • kiwibank savings
  • kiwibank term deposit

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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