BNZ vs Westpac:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In September 2026, Westpac had more branded searches than BNZ among retail banks in New Zealand. Westpac had about 384,000 branded searches, while BNZ had 123,000. Westpac made up 16.9% 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 Westpac appeared in all five answers. BNZ was mentioned before Westpac in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Westpac, about 3 searches for every 1 for BNZ
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
BNZ, named ahead of Westpac in every answer
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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 Westpac showed up in all five answers. BNZ was listed before Westpac in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
See every answer about retail banks
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which retail bank should I switch to in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best retail banks in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best retail bank in New Zealand for everyday banking?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best bank nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“nz retail banks”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is BNZ or Westpac more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for BNZ and Westpac 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.
Share of searches by month for Westpac, BNZ. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Westpac | BNZ |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 17.7% | 5.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 17.8% | 5.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 18.5% | 5.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 16.8% | 6.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 18.1% | 6.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 17.9% | 5.6% |
| May 2026 | 18.3% | 5.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 18.1% | 5.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 16.6% | 6.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 19.6% | 6.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 16.9% | 5.4% |
| Oct 2026 | — | — |
How has branded search for BNZ and Westpac changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Westpac 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, Westpac’s share of searches among retail banks in New Zealand moved from 17.7% to 16.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 464K to 384K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand retail banks in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Westpac lost share of searches among retail banks in New Zealand, from 19.6% to 16.9%.
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 Westpac’s branded searches counted?
18 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BNZ’s and Westpac’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
Westpac
10 branded search terms
- Westpac
- westpac banking
- westpac credit card
- westpac home loan
- westpac home loans
- westpac mortgage
- westpac mortgages
- westpac personal loan
- westpac savings
- westpac term deposit
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