The top ten quotes will feature in New Zealand’s Quote of the Year competition, now in its 15th year. Then the public will vote for their favourite.
The competition is light-hearted, but each year holds up a mirror to the nation by showing us who we are and what makes us unique.
All types of quotes are welcome – whether they have made you smile, laugh, cry, feel inspired or even embarrassed.
The quotes can be spoken or written, but they must come from a New Zealander and been shared in a public setting. Common sources include news reports, podcasts, television programmes, YouTube videos and social media.
Quotes nominated in the past have been uttered by politicians, sports stars, ad characters, celebrities, social media personalities gone viral and everyday Kiwis.
Although nominees are typically human, last year’s winning quote came from a birdnapped cockatoo for the distinctive catchcry of “Hello Darling”. The six-year-old female cockatoo named Pepper came to prominence when she was stolen from Staglands Wildlife Reserve in Upper Hutt. Police got her back but could only confirm she was the same cockatoo when she chirped “Hello Darling” excitedly when Staglands staff came to fetch her.
In second place was Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s retort to a radio interview, “Let me be clear: I’m wealthy, I’m – you know – sorted.”
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University pays tribute to Quote of the Year’s founder, the late Dr Heather Kavan, who established the competition in 2011. Dr Kavan was a valued Massey University staff member, specialising in speechwriting, extreme religions and media law. She was internationally recognised for her speechwriting, nationally recognised for her teaching and well-known for treating her students with genuine care.
Dr Kavan’s book published last year, They Said What?!, compiles over a hundred of the most beloved Kiwi quotes from past competitions. Dr Kavan had said she especially enjoyed exploring what makes a one-liner resonate with New Zealanders.
“It helps to mention food, animals or rugby,” she had said, adding that we can all relax because Kiwis seem to like us more when we make a mistake.
How to nominate a quote
- Ensure the quote was said or written by a New Zealander in 2025.
- Submit a quote using the nomination form here.
There is no limit to how many quotes you can submit.
Nominations close at 11.59pm on Friday 5 December. The top ten quotes will then go to a public vote, with the winner announced before Christmas.
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