Brandwave

AWF vs Tradestaff:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Tradestaff had more branded searches than AWF among Hastings recruitment agencies in New Zealand. Tradestaff had about 90 branded searches, while AWF had 80. Tradestaff made up 12.2% of all Hastings recruitment agency searches we track, and AWF accounted for 10.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Hastings recruitment agencies, Tradestaff appeared in two of the three answers and AWF in none.

Among Hastings recruitment agencies in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Tradestaff, about 13% more searches than AWF

Tradestaff 90 searchesAWF 80 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Tradestaff, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, AWF in 0

Tradestaff in 2 of 3AWF in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Tradestaff, the only one of the two named

Tradestaff first in 2AWF never named

Follow AWF vs Tradestaff 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

Track your brand against a rival →

Top Hastings recruitment agencies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Tradestaff was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. AWF did not appear in any of the three answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. OneStaff1st
  2. Adecco2nd
  3. Able Personnel3rd
  4. Tradestaff4th
  5. Rural Directions Recruitment & HR5th
  6. Trade Assist6th
  7. AWF–
  8. Populous People–

Mentioned by AI

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

See every answer about Hastings 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 21, 2026.

Is AWF or Tradestaff more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for AWF and Tradestaff by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight Hastings recruitment agencies we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

AWF and Tradestaff among Hastings recruitment agencies in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthOneStaffAdeccoTrade AssistTradestaffAWFPopulous PeopleAble PersonnelRural Directions Recruitment & HR
Oct 202530%21.3%13.8%8.8%10%8.8%3.8%3.8%
Nov 202523.4%27%24.3%9.9%6.3%4.5%2.7%1.8%
Dec 202525%25%23.8%8.3%7.1%6%2.4%2.4%
Jan 202628.6%18.8%30.4%9.8%3.6%4.5%2.7%1.8%
Feb 202627%22.5%18%15.7%6.7%5.6%1.1%3.4%
Mar 202626.9%17.2%15.1%15.1%18.3%3.2%1.1%3.2%
Apr 202634.1%20%11.8%8.2%11.8%8.2%2.4%3.5%
May 202630.9%25%10.3%13.2%7.4%7.4%4.4%1.5%
Jun 202628.6%23.8%11.9%16.7%9.5%6%2.4%1.2%
Jul 202626.8%21.1%15.5%19.7%7%5.6%1.4%2.8%
Aug 202635.4%22.8%16.5%11.4%5.1%3.8%1.3%3.8%
Sep 202636.5%17.6%13.5%12.2%10.8%4.1%2.7%2.7%

How has the AWF and Tradestaff comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Tradestaff took it in November 2025, AWF took it in March 2026, Tradestaff took it in May 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AWF’s share of searches among Hastings recruitment agencies in New Zealand moved from 10% to 10.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 80.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tradestaff’s share of searches among Hastings recruitment agencies in New Zealand moved from 8.8% to 12.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 70 to 90.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, AWF gained share of searches among Hastings recruitment agencies in New Zealand, from 5.1% to 10.8%.

  2. In September 2026, Tradestaff gained share of searches among Hastings recruitment agencies in New Zealand, from 11.4% to 12.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AWF’s and Tradestaff’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.

AWF

5 branded search terms

  • awf
  • awf hastings
  • awf jobs
  • awf labour hire
  • awf recruitment

Tradestaff

1 branded search term

  • tradestaff

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among Hastings recruitment agencies

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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.