Brandwave

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

In September 2026, Kiwibank and Westpac were level in searches among retail banks in New Zealand, with an estimated 374K versus 384K branded searches, at 16.5% and 16.9% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about retail banks, both Kiwibank and Westpac appeared in all five answers. Kiwibank was mentioned before Westpac in three out of five answers.

Among retail banks in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Westpac and Kiwibank are searched for about as often as each other.

Westpac 384K searchesKiwibank 374K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Kiwibank in 5 of 5Westpac in 5 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Kiwibank, named ahead of Westpac in 3 of 5 answers

Kiwibank first in 3Westpac first in 2

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Top retail banks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Kiwibank and Westpac showed up in all five answers. Kiwibank was listed before Westpac in three of them.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Kiwibank1st
  2. Westpac2nd

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Kiwibank5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Westpac5 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. 2Kiwibank
    2. 4Westpac

  • Asked ChatGPT

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

    1. 4Kiwibank
    2. 8Westpac

  • Asked ChatGPT

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

    1. 3Westpac
    2. 5Kiwibank

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best bank nz”

    1. 5Kiwibank
    2. 6Westpac

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “nz retail banks”

    1. 4Westpac
    2. 5Kiwibank

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

Is Kiwibank or Westpac more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Kiwibank 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.

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

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthWestpacKiwibank
Nov 202517.7%17.5%
Dec 202517.8%17.5%
Jan 202618.5%14.9%
Feb 202616.8%16.4%
Mar 202618.1%14.6%
Apr 202617.9%17.6%
May 202618.3%14.8%
Jun 202618.1%14.6%
Jul 202616.6%16.3%
Aug 202619.6%15.8%
Sep 202616.9%16.5%
Oct 2026——

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

3 findings
  • Westpac was ahead of Kiwibank in every measured month of the 11 months ending September 2026.
  • 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.
  • 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

  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, Westpac lost share of searches among retail banks in New Zealand, from 19.6% to 16.9%.

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

21 search terms

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

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

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

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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