Christchurch Power Tool Brands – Who Rules the Worksite? (2017–2026)
Updated: Oct 20
Nine Years of Power Tools – What MegaTest's Asset Register Reveals
Back in September 2017, MegaTest published an interesting snapshot of the power tool brands being used by our clients in Christchurch's building and construction industry.
Fast-forward to Oct 2026, and we revisited those figures using information from our electrical equipment asset register, which had grown to include just on 48,850 registered items.
So, had the leading brands changed? Was Makita still dominating the worksite? And had Milwaukee finally caught up?
Let's take a look!
Christchurch Power Tool Brands – Comparing 2017 and 2026
Our original 2017 analysis focused on corded power tools recorded during electrical equipment inspection and testing.
The Oct 2026 figures also focused on corded power tools, allowing us to compare the brands represented in our records.
Power Tool Brand Comparison – 2017 vs 2026
Manufacturer | 2017 | 2026 |
Makita | 46% | 47.8% |
DeWalt | 7% | 8.3% |
Hitachi / HiKoki | 11% | 8.3% |
Bosch | 10% | 7.9% |
Milwaukee | 6% | 7.5% |
Ryobi | 5% | Not listed |
Hilti | — | 7.9% |
Ozito | — | 4.5% |
Black & Decker | — | 3.1% |
AEG | — | 1.7% |
Stanley | — | 1.7% |
Festool | — | 1.2% |
These figures represent corded power tools recorded in MegaTest's client equipment registers at the respective times. They are not a market-share survey of Christchurch or
New Zealand. A dash or “Not listed” does not necessarily mean the brand was absent.
Makita – Still King of the Worksite!
In 2017, Makita accounted for 46% of the corded power tools recorded in our sample.
By Oct 2026, that figure had increased slightly to 47.8%.
That's nearly half of the recorded tools!
At this point, we're starting to wonder whether Makita tools were being handed out with every building consent. 😂
DeWalt also increased its share, moving from 7% to 8.3%, while Milwaukee rose from 6% to 7.5%.
Hitachi, now represented under the HiKoki name, and Bosch recorded smaller shares in the 2025 figures than in 2017.
Of course, these changes reflect the equipment in our client records, rather than definitive changes in the wider power-tool market.
The Other Brands Making Their Mark
Our Oct 2026 analysis included several additional manufacturers.
Hilti recorded 7.9%, matching Bosch, while Ozito accounted for 4.5%.
Black & Decker, AEG, Stanley and Festool also featured in the results.
Each brand has its own following, from everyday workshop tools to specialist equipment used by tradespeople.
And while some manufacturers recorded relatively small percentages, that doesn't necessarily reflect their popularity across the wider construction industry.
The Unsung Heroes – Extension Leads
Power tools might get all the attention, but where would a busy worksite be without extension leads?
Our 2026 analysis also looked at two extension lead brands recorded in our equipment register.
Manufacturer | Share |
HPM | 63% |
Elto | 37% |
HPM was the clear leader within this two-brand comparison.
Not quite as exciting as a new power tool, perhaps, but extension leads play an important role in keeping electrical equipment operating on worksites.
And because they're regularly handled, moved and exposed to demanding environments, appropriate inspection and testing is particularly important.
What About the Battery-Powered Revolution?
Before Milwaukee fans get their power tools in a twist, there's one important distinction.
Our original power-tool comparison focused on corded equipment. But with cordless tools becoming increasingly popular, we decided to take another look at our equipment register in October 2026.
With 48,850 items now recorded, including 2,307 battery chargers, we found some interesting results:
Makita – 34% of recorded battery chargers
Milwaukee – 15%
Paslode – 11%
Makita continues to dominate, while Milwaukee holds a strong second place.
And Paslode? Well, it looks like the nail-gun specialists aren't giving up their spot on the worksite anytime soon! 😂
Of course, these figures represent battery chargers recorded in MegaTest's client equipment register, rather than the overall cordless power-tool market.
Nevertheless, they provide another interesting example of how electrical equipment records can reveal trends across the businesses we work with.
More Than Test & Tag – The Value of an Asset Register
One of the most interesting things about this exercise is that the information came from records originally collected during routine electrical equipment inspection and testing.
A well-maintained asset register can provide much more than a list of appliances due for their next inspection.
It can help businesses:
Identify and track equipment across different locations.
Record manufacturers, models and serial numbers.
Manage inspection and testing schedules.
Support maintenance and equipment replacement planning.
Maintain useful equipment records for insurance and asset management purposes.
Our 2017 and 2026 comparisons are a good example of how information collected for electrical safety can also provide interesting insights into the equipment businesses use.
Further Reading – Building an Electrical Equipment Asset Register
Want to understand how an equipment register can benefit your business beyond electrical safety testing?
Read our related article:
It explains how structured records can support asset tracking, maintenance planning and workplace electrical safety.
Electrical Equipment Testing in Christchurch
MegaTest, the appliance electrical testing division of NZ Test Group Ltd, provides electrical equipment inspection and testing solutions for businesses throughout Christchurch and Canterbury.
We help businesses maintain practical electrical safety programmes under AS/NZS 3760 while keeping useful records of their equipment.
For more information, visit our MegaTest page or explore the NZ Test Group Knowledge Library.
Call us: 027 22 33 446
Email: info@nztestgroup.co.nz
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