Unbound has been officially awarded 2026 Google Premier Partner status, placing us in the top 3% of Google Ads agencies in New Zealand. For our clients, this means elite-level expertise, early access to exclusive Google beta features, and a direct line to Google support, ensuring your campaigns are always one step ahead.
We are thrilled to announce that Unbound has once again been named a Google Premier Partner. This isn’t just a badge for our website; it’s a rigorous recognition that places Unbound in the top 3% of digital marketing agencies across New Zealand.
With only 24 agencies in the country currently holding this elite status for 2026, this achievement reinforces our position as a leading Google Ads agency committed to delivering world-class results from right here in the Waikato.
What is a Google Premier Partner?
The Google Partners programme is designed for advertising agencies that manage Google Ads accounts on behalf of other businesses. While many firms can call themselves a Google Ads agency, the Premier tier is the highest level of partnership available.
To determine the top 3% for 2026, Google evaluates agencies on a rigorous set of factors that go beyond just how much money they spend. The criteria include:
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Client Growth: Our ability to help our clients scale and find new revenue opportunities consistently.
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Client Retention: A testament to the long-term success and satisfaction of the businesses we partner with.
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Product Diversification: Our demonstrated expertise across the full Google ecosystem, including Search, Display, YouTube Video, and Performance Max.
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Performance: Maintaining a high optimisation score by implementing Google’s best-practice recommendations tailored to client goals.
Why it Matters for Our Clients
Being a Premier Partner isn’t about us—it’s about the competitive advantage we provide to the businesses we work with. As one of the few elite agencies in NZ, Unbound receives:
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Early Access to Beta Features: We can implement Google’s latest tools and AI-driven ad formats before they are available to the general public, giving our clients a head start on the competition.
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Advanced Support: We have a direct line to dedicated Google support teams. If there is a technical glitch or a policy issue, we get it resolved faster than a non-partner agency.
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Verified Expertise: Our team maintains the highest level of certifications. When you hire an Unbound Google Ads agency specialist, you are getting someone whose knowledge is checked and verified by Google annually.
Proudly Local, Globally Competitive
“Being recognised as a Premier Partner again is great, but what really matters is the results it unlocks for our clients,” says Quentin Weber, Founder and CTO of Unbound. “Whether we’re working with a local Waikato business or an international brand, they have access to top-tier digital experts who care about getting real results. We’re here to make digital marketing less of a guessing game and more of a clear, strategic advantage.”
As one of a few Google Premier Partners based in the Waikato, we take pride in proving that you don’t need an Auckland-based agency to get “big city” results. Our data-driven approach and “damn good” commitment to our clients are what have kept us in that top 3% year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Google Premier Partners are there in New Zealand? For 2026, Google has designated only 24 agencies in New Zealand as Premier Partners. This represents the top 3% of all participating agencies in the country based on performance and growth.
What is the difference between a Google Partner and a Premier Partner? A “Google Partner” has met the basic requirements for certifications and spend. A “Premier Partner” is an elite designation given only to the top 3% of those agencies. Premier Partners receive higher levels of support, exclusive training, and invitation-only access to new Google products.
Does working with a Premier Partner cost more? Not necessarily. While Premier Partners are often more experienced, our status is a reflection of our efficiency and results. Working with a high-performing Google Ads agency often saves clients money in the long run by reducing “wasted” ad spend and increasing conversion rates.
How does Google verify these agencies? Google monitors our managed accounts daily. They look at our optimisation scores, the diversity of the tools we use, and our ability to retain and grow our clients. We must also ensure our staff pass certification exams every year.
Ready to Scale Your Results?
If you’re looking to work with a Google Ads agency that has a direct line to Google and a proven track record of growing Kiwi businesses, we’d love to chat.
Contact the Unbound team today to see how we can take your Google Ads performance to the next level.
