As 2025 draws to a close, the global web-browsing giant Google has revealed the most common searches among Kiwis this year.
The assassinated political commentator Charlie Kirk was New Zealand’s top-trending search in 2025.
A spokesperson said Kiwi’s search habits painted a “picture of a population that is pragmatic, hyper-vigilant and digitally aware”.
The top three most searched topics by New Zealanders this year were Charlie Kirk – the conservative commentator murdered at an event in Utah in September. This was followed treatments for chronic obstructive lung disease and osteoarthritis.
There was also plenty of interest in Marokopa fugitive father Tom Phillips; the All Blacks; the death of metal legend Ozzy Osbourne; Cyclone Alfred, which hit Australia; Iran; serial killer Ed Gein; and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Google said it identified a series of themes that defined Kiwis’ search habits in 2025.
The first was using Google as a real-time safety tool to check for weather warnings. Wind, rainfall, and tsunami warnings dominated search trends.
“Our desire for information about immediate weather hazards has never been more pronounced,” Google said.
Google also highlighted a shift towards civic engagement in politics, not just observing it through the news.
“How to make a submission to the Treaty Principles Bill” and the names of politicians such as Brooke van Velden were commonly searched.
The cost of living also affected people’s searches. Kiwis frequently searched for how to make butter, buttermilk, sourdough starter, bread, and soft-boiled eggs.
People also searched for financial topics such as the “revenge saving” trend, how to calculate a tax refund, and how to invest in shares.
Culturally, Kiwis were hooked on global trends, with people looking up how to make things like the viral Dubai chocolate, pistachio cream, and matcha latte. K-pop Demon Hunters and Labubus dominated our pop culture trends.
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including new photos and video of Epstein Island, what we’ve been Googling this year, and a tough World Cup draw for the All Blacks. (Source: 1News)
Google’s top trending lists for 2025:
Overall searches
Charlie Kirk
COPD treatment
Osteoporosis treatment
Tom Phillips
All Blacks vs France
Ozzy Osbourne
Cyclone Alfred
Iran
Ed Gein
Club World Cup
New Zealanders
Joseph Parker
Benjamin Doyle
Lorde
Liam Lawson
Daniel Hillier
Kai Kara France
David Nyika
Brooke Van Velden
Chris Wood
Stuart Nash
Deaths
Charlie Kirk
Tom Phillips
Michelle Trachtenberg
Gene Hackman
Hulk Hogan
Diane Keaton
Val Kilmer
David Lynch
Robert Redford
Jane Goodall
People
Belle Gibson
D4vd
Diogo Jota
Pope
Andy Byron
Luke Combs
Jimmy Kimmel
Tyler Robinson
Kendrick Lamar
Prince Andrew
Local events
Wind warning
Rainfall warning
Tsunami warning
Thunderstorm warning
Cyclone Tam
Treaty Principles Bill submission
Metallica Auckland
Tongariro fire
Measles
Sail GP Auckland
Global moments
Cyclone Alfred
Iran
Day of the Dead
LA fires
Labubu
Russia earthquake
KPop Demon Hunters
Bianca Censori Grammys
67
Air India Crash
How to…
Make butter
Invest money in shares
Make buttermilk
Get rid of bed bugs
Screenshot on Macbook
Watch All Blacks vs France
Soft boil an egg
Ssay Happy Matariki in te reo Maori
Clear cache on Chrome
Calculate a tax refund
How to make…
A submission on the treaty principles bill
Pistachio cream
Matcha
Sourdough starter
Bread
A YouTube channel
Apple crumble
Hard boiled eggs
Green
Dubai chocolate
Hair grow faster
Definitions
Plancha
Taki
Parens
Loris
Hubris
Atria
Ziti
Ouroboros
Orgo
Seitan
Internet trends/memes
Viral ice cream
Action figure trend
Mango ice cream
Barbie AI trend
Revenge saving financial trend
Peach ice cream
What is the 6 7 trend
Squishy toy trend
Polaroid trend
Starter pack trend
Recipes: Savoury
Spotted dick
Pink salt trick
Enchiladas
Potato gratin
Chicken breast
Whitebait fritter
Beef Wellington
Egg salad
Shepherd’s pie
Focaccia bread
Recipes: Sweet
Hot cross bun
Dubai chocolate
Overnight oats
Anzac biscuit
Basque cheesecake
Moist banana cake
Scones
Hot honey
Snickerdoodle
Biscoff cheesecake
Outfits/Costumes
Oktoberfest
Disco
Airport
Cowgirl
Cowboy
Baby Easter
Maid
Prisoner
Day at the races
Rumi
How to style
Curtain bangs
A bed
Brown pants
Adidas Japan shoes high top
Short hair
Polo shirt and jeans women smart casual
A wavy quiff
A messy fringe
Aa bandana men
A line skirt
Series
Adolescence
Severance
Squid Game
The Summer I Turned Pretty
White Lotus
Mobland
Apple Cider Vinegar
Dept Q
American Primeval
Landman
Films
Minecraft
Superman
Happy Gilmore 2
Nosferatu
Sinners
How To Train Your Dragon
28 Years Later
Weapons
Anora
Thunderbolts
Sport
All Blacks vs France
Club World Cup
India vs England
Auckland FC
India vs Australia
Champions Trophy
New Zealand vs Pakistan
Super Rugby Fantasy
All Blacks vs Australia
New Zealand vs West Indies
