Te Papa vs Zealandia:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Te Papa had more branded searches than Zealandia among Wellington attractions in New Zealand. Te Papa had about 16,400 branded searches, while Zealandia had 12,300. Te Papa made up 16.7% of all Wellington attraction searches we track, and Zealandia accounted for 12.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Wellington attractions, both Te Papa and Zealandia appeared in all five answers. Te Papa was mentioned before Zealandia in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Te Papa, about 33% more searches than Zealandia
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Te Papa, named ahead of Zealandia in every answer
Follow Te Papa vs Zealandia and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top Wellington attractions in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Te Papa and Zealandia showed up in all five answers. Te Papa was listed before Zealandia 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.
- Te Papa5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Zealandia5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Wellington Cable Car4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Weta Workshop4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Wellington Zoo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Space Place1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about Wellington attractions
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which attraction should I go to in Wellington, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best attractions in Wellington, New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best attraction in Wellington, New Zealand for a family day out?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wellington attractions”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“things to do wellington”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Te Papa or Zealandia more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Te Papa and Zealandia by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six Wellington attractions we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Te Papa, Zealandia. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wellington Cable Car | Weta Workshop | Wellington Zoo | Te Papa | Zealandia | Space Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.5% | 26.7% | 19.5% | 17.2% | 10.8% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 29.6% | 28.9% | 15.9% | 11.6% | 13.2% | 0.71% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.5% | 27.7% | 16.8% | 15.4% | 7.7% | 0.99% |
| Jan 2026 | 29% | 28.2% | 18.9% | 14.2% | 8.6% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.4% | 26.2% | 15.3% | 13.8% | 8.6% | 0.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.4% | 24.6% | 16.7% | 15% | 11.3% | 0.98% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.6% | 22% | 21.2% | 19.3% | 9.6% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 21.5% | 19% | 31.1% | 15.4% | 11.5% | 1.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 20.7% | 25.4% | 20.1% | 18.1% | 13.6% | 2.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 23.4% | 22.3% | 22.9% | 16.9% | 12.6% | 2% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.6% | 22.4% | 21% | 18.9% | 14.2% | 1.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.3% | 23.3% | 22.6% | 16.7% | 12.5% | 1.6% |
How has the Te Papa and Zealandia comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Zealandia took it in November 2025, Te Papa took it in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Te Papa’s share of searches among Wellington attractions in New Zealand moved from 17.2% to 16.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 19.6K to 16.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zealandia’s share of searches among Wellington attractions in New Zealand moved from 10.8% to 12.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.4K to 12.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand Wellington attractions in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Te Papa lost share of searches among Wellington attractions in New Zealand, from 18.9% to 16.7%.
In September 2026, Zealandia lost share of searches among Wellington attractions in New Zealand, from 14.2% to 12.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Te Papa’s and Zealandia’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.
Other head-to-heads among Wellington attractions
- Wellington Cable Car vs Weta Workshop: compare popularity
- Wellington Cable Car vs Wellington Zoo: compare popularity
- Wellington Cable Car vs Te Papa: compare popularity
- Wellington Cable Car vs Zealandia: compare popularity
- Weta Workshop vs Wellington Zoo: compare popularity
- Weta Workshop vs Te Papa: compare popularity
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.