Brandwave

Hays vs Robert Walters:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Hays and Robert Walters were level in searches among Christchurch recruitment agencies in New Zealand, with an estimated 150 versus 140 branded searches, at 4.8% and 4.5% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Christchurch recruitment agencies, Robert Walters appeared in two of the three answers and Hays in one. Robert Walters was mentioned before Hays in every answer that named either.

Among Christchurch recruitment agencies in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Hays, about 7% more searches than Robert Walters

Hays 150 searchesRobert Walters 140 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Robert Walters, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Hays in 1

Robert Walters in 2 of 3Hays in 1 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Robert Walters, named ahead of Hays in 2 of 2 answers

Robert Walters first in 2Hays never first

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Top Christchurch recruitment agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Robert Walters was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Hays was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Robert Walters was listed before Hays in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Ryan Recruitment1st
  2. Trade Assist2nd
  3. Enterprise Recruitment3rd
  4. Talent Hive4th
  5. Robert Walters5th
  6. Madison Recruitment6th
  7. Hays7th
  8. Graham Consulting–
  9. NZ Recruit–

Mentioned by AI

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

See every answer about Christchurch recruitment agencies

3 answers

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 Hays or Robert Walters more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Hays and Robert Walters by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine Christchurch recruitment agencies we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Hays and Robert Walters among Christchurch recruitment agencies in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Hays, Robert Walters. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRyan RecruitmentGraham ConsultingTrade AssistEnterprise RecruitmentNZ RecruitMadison RecruitmentHaysRobert WaltersTalent Hive
Oct 202531%7.7%20.6%14.3%7.3%6.3%5.9%5.9%1%
Nov 202531.7%7.8%21%14.6%6%6.8%7.5%3.9%0.71%
Dec 202532.6%7.6%17.4%12%9.2%9.8%8.2%2.7%0.54%
Jan 202627.2%8.2%17.9%15.3%9.7%8.6%6.7%5.2%1.1%
Feb 202631.5%9.7%14%14.7%11.5%6.1%6.5%5%1.1%
Mar 202629%10.7%15.6%16.3%8.5%7.5%7.2%4.6%0.65%
Apr 202631.8%12.1%13.9%14.6%9.3%6.4%6.1%5%0.71%
May 202635.7%9.9%13.8%14.5%9.2%6.4%4.9%4.9%0.71%
Jun 202630.2%8.4%14.4%15%11.7%10.2%6.3%3.3%0.6%
Jul 202634%11.4%13.1%11.4%10.8%7.4%5.1%5.7%1%
Aug 202630.4%22.3%11.7%12%6.3%7.8%5.1%3.3%0.9%
Sep 202632.4%15.7%15.4%10.9%8.3%7.4%4.8%4.5%0.64%

How has the Hays and Robert Walters comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand Christchurch recruitment agencies in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Robert Walters gained share of searches among Christchurch recruitment agencies in New Zealand, from 3.3% to 4.5%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Hays in New Zealand fell 11.8% over 12 measured months, from 170 to 150 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hays’ and Robert Walters’ 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.

Hays

2 branded search terms

  • hays
  • hays temp agency

Robert Walters

1 branded search term

  • Robert Walters

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among Christchurch recruitment agencies

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