Brandwave

Kaituna Cascades vs Ultimate Descents Aotearoa:Which is more popular in New Zealand?

In October 2026, Kaituna Cascades had more branded searches than Ultimate Descents Aotearoa among white water rafting operators in New Zealand. Kaituna Cascades had about 550 branded searches, while Ultimate Descents Aotearoa had 70. Kaituna Cascades made up 7.9% of all white water rafting operator searches we track, and Ultimate Descents Aotearoa accounted for 1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about white water rafting operators, Kaituna Cascades appeared in three of the four answers and Ultimate Descents Aotearoa in two. Kaituna Cascades was mentioned before Ultimate Descents Aotearoa in every answer.

Among white water rafting operators in New Zealand in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kaituna Cascades, about 8 searches for every 1 for Ultimate Descents Aotearoa

Kaituna Cascades 550 searchesUltimate Descents Aotearoa 70 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Kaituna Cascades, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Ultimate Descents Aotearoa in 2

Kaituna Cascades in 3 of 4Ultimate Descents Aotearoa in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Kaituna Cascades, named ahead of Ultimate Descents Aotearoa in every answer

Kaituna Cascades first in 3Ultimate Descents Aotearoa never first

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Top white water rafting operators in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Kaituna Cascades was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Ultimate Descents Aotearoa was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Kaituna Cascades was listed before Ultimate Descents Aotearoa in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Rotorua Rafting1st
  2. Kaituna Cascades2nd
  3. Rafting New Zealand3rd
  4. Ultimate Descents Aotearoa4th
  5. Queenstown Rafting5th
  6. River Valley–
  7. River Rats–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Rotorua Rafting3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Kaituna Cascades3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Rafting New Zealand2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Ultimate Descents Aotearoa2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Queenstown Rafting1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • River Valley0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • River Rats0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about white water rafting operators

4 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 21, 2026.

Is Kaituna Cascades or Ultimate Descents Aotearoa more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Kaituna Cascades and Ultimate Descents Aotearoa by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven white water rafting operators we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Kaituna Cascades and Ultimate Descents Aotearoa among white water rafting operators in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Kaituna Cascades, Ultimate Descents Aotearoa. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRotorua RaftingRiver ValleyQueenstown RaftingKaituna CascadesRafting New ZealandRiver RatsUltimate Descents Aotearoa
Nov 202562.7%10.2%12%8.7%2.9%2.1%1.3%
Dec 202566.1%7.3%12.2%9%2.5%1.5%1.3%
Jan 202664.1%7.8%11.8%11%2.4%1.8%1.1%
Feb 202660.9%7.5%9.5%16.8%2.3%1.7%1.2%
Mar 202662.6%10.2%11.8%8.4%2.9%2.5%1.5%
Apr 202659.9%10.7%11.5%10.3%2.7%3%1.8%
May 202660%12.1%7.8%10.5%2.2%5.6%1.8%
Jun 202657.1%17%7.5%9.5%3.2%4.6%1.2%
Jul 202659.3%15.9%7.7%8.6%4.1%3.5%0.88%
Aug 202660.4%13.3%9.6%7.6%3.4%5.4%0.25%
Sep 202664%11.8%8.4%8.4%3%3.9%0.64%
Oct 202665.1%12.8%8.5%7.9%2.4%2.2%1%

How has branded search for Kaituna Cascades and Ultimate Descents Aotearoa changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand white water rafting operators in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Kaituna Cascades fell from 3rd to 4th among white water rafting operators in New Zealand.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Ultimate Descents Aotearoa in New Zealand fell 50% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 70 in October 2026.

How are Kaituna Cascades’ and Ultimate Descents Aotearoa’s branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kaituna Cascades’ and Ultimate Descents Aotearoa’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.

Kaituna Cascades

3 branded search terms

  • kaituna cascades
  • kaituna cascades rafting
  • kaitunacascades

Ultimate Descents Aotearoa

1 branded search term

  • ultimate descents aotearoa

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among white water rafting operators

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