Buddle Findlay vs Russell McVeagh:Which is more popular by branded search in New Zealand?
In August 2026, Russell McVeagh had more branded searches than Buddle Findlay among large commercial law firms in New Zealand. Russell McVeagh was estimated to have 3.7K branded searches compared to Buddle Findlay’s 3.5K, and held a 15.7% Share of Search versus Buddle Findlay’s 15.1%.
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Which is more popular in search, Buddle Findlay or Russell McVeagh?
Compare the largest commercial law firms advising businesses and government in New Zealand, using branded searches made in New Zealand. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for Russell McVeagh, Buddle Findlay. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | Russell McVeagh | Buddle Findlay | Chapman Tripp | Simpson Grierson | Bell Gully | MinterEllisonRuddWatts | Dentons | DLA Piper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 15.3% | 13.2% | 13.8% | 15.4% | 13.3% | 12.5% | 11.2% | 5.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 18.1% | 12.7% | 14.9% | 14.7% | 12.9% | 11.2% | 10.3% | 5% |
| Dec 2025 | 15.7% | 13.6% | 15.8% | 15.9% | 12.8% | 12.1% | 10.1% | 4.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 16.4% | 13.8% | 12.9% | 15.9% | 16.5% | 10.6% | 9% | 5% |
| Feb 2026 | 16.6% | 13.9% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 12.7% | 10.3% | 5.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 13.9% | 13.8% | 13.6% | 13.9% | 14.4% | 11% | 9.9% | 9.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 15.1% | 12.6% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 15.4% | 11.6% | 9.8% | 6.4% |
| May 2026 | 14.2% | 12.4% | 14% | 14.2% | 17.8% | 11.6% | 10.5% | 5.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 15.5% | 13.8% | 13% | 15.4% | 14.5% | 11.6% | 10.2% | 6% |
| Jul 2026 | 16.7% | 14.1% | 13.6% | 16.3% | 14.3% | 10.6% | 7.8% | 6.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 15.7% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 14.9% | 13% | 11.7% | 8.7% | 6% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How has the Buddle Findlay and Russell McVeagh comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Russell McVeagh was ahead of Buddle Findlay in every measured month of the 11 months ending August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Buddle Findlay’s estimated Share of Search among large commercial law firms in New Zealand moved from 13.2% to 15.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 3.5K.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Russell McVeagh’s estimated Share of Search among large commercial law firms in New Zealand moved from 15.3% to 15.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4K to 3.7K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand large commercial law firms in August 2026?
2 changes

In August 2026, Buddle Findlay overtook Bell Gully to rank 2nd among large commercial law firms in New Zealand, at 15.1%.

In August 2026, Russell McVeagh lost estimated Share of Search among large commercial law firms in New Zealand, from 16.7% to 15.7%.
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buddle Findlay’s and Russell McVeagh’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.
Buddle Findlay
6 branded search terms
- Buddle Findlay
- buddle findlay auckland
- buddle findlay chch
- buddle findlay christchurch
- buddle findlay lawyers
- buddle findlay wellington
Russell McVeagh
6 branded search terms
- Russell McVeagh
- russell mcveagh auckland
- russell mcveagh law firm
- russell mcveagh lawyers
- russell mcveagh queenstown
- russell mcveagh wellington

Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.