Mainland vs Tararua:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Mainland had more branded searches than Tararua among butter brands in New Zealand. Mainland had about 410 branded searches, while Tararua had 200. Mainland made up 4.4% of all butter brand searches we track, and Tararua accounted for 2.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about butter brands, Mainland appeared in all five answers and Tararua in one. Mainland was mentioned before Tararua in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Mainland, about 2 searches for every 1 for Tararua
Who does AI mention more?
Mainland, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Mainland, named ahead of Tararua in every answer
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Top butter brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Mainland appeared in all five answers. Tararua was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Mainland was listed before Tararua in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Westgold5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Anchor5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Mainland5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pams4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lewis Road Creamery2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tararua1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Olivani0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Lurpak0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about butter brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which butter brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best butter brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best butter brand in New Zealand for everyday baking?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“butter nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“spreadable butter nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Mainland or Tararua more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mainland and Tararua by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight butter brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Mainland, Tararua. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Lewis Road Creamery | Olivani | Westgold | Pams | Anchor | Mainland | Tararua | Lurpak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 43.1% | 15.8% | 9.8% | 14.3% | 9.1% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 2.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.9% | 16.2% | 9.1% | 13.4% | 8.9% | 3.4% | 3.3% | 1.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.4% | 14.2% | 11.4% | 12.5% | 10.8% | 3.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.5% | 15.8% | 10.6% | 13.3% | 10% | 3.3% | 1.7% | 1.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 46.8% | 15% | 9.9% | 13.4% | 8.1% | 2.8% | 2.6% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 42% | 16.8% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 8.7% | 4% | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 40.8% | 19.1% | 10.1% | 12% | 10.2% | 3.9% | 2.2% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 37.8% | 12.7% | 25.9% | 8% | 8.7% | 3.7% | 1.8% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.8% | 16.6% | 10.3% | 11.1% | 13.7% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 37.8% | 16% | 15.9% | 9.4% | 12.1% | 5.2% | 2% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.3% | 14% | 14.4% | 12.6% | 10.5% | 4.4% | 1.4% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 40.5% | 17% | 12.5% | 11.5% | 10% | 4.4% | 2.2% | 1.9% |
How has the Mainland and Tararua comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Mainland was ahead of Tararua in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mainland’s share of searches among butter brands in New Zealand moved from 3.4% to 4.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 330 to 410.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tararua’s share of searches among butter brands in New Zealand moved from 2.3% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 230 to 200.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand butter brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Tararua overtook Lurpak to rank 7th among butter brands in New Zealand, with 2.2% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Mainland in New Zealand rose 24.2% over 12 measured months, from 330 to 410 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mainland’s and Tararua’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.
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