Top 10 quotes of 2023 announced

They are three of the 10 finalists selected from nominations into New Zealand’s Quote of the Year competition.

Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University released the list this week, and the public has until midday Sunday 17 December to vote for their favourite.

Speech Writing specialist Dr Heather Kavan, who was one of the judges, said there were 125 nominations and they were full of soundbites, catchphrases and gaffes.

The judging criteria include brevity, impact and emotional power.

“The best quotes tell a story in a single sentence and take us back to the emotions of that time,” Dr Kavan said.

“The Cyclone Gabrielle quote ‘Nah, we’re just three Māori boys’ is a great example, and tears welled in my eyes as I typed it.”

The words were said by Mikey Kihi, Rikki Kihi, and Morehu Maxwell. The trio were rescuing trapped citizens when they were asked if they were from the navy. They replied with typical Kiwi modesty that they were just Māori boys.

The most frequently nominated quote was the Warrior fans’ rallying cry, “Up the wahs!”

“About a third of the nominations were for this quote, said by different speakers,” Dr Kavan said. “It’s more than a quote, it’s a cultural phenomenon. The words are singable and inspired a parody of the popular New Zealand song ‘How bizarre’”.

Also frequently nominated was Nicola Willis’s parliamentary question, “How big is his hole?” referring to a financial hole. Members of Parliament laughed at the innuendo, and Grant Robertson replied, “That’s not in the public interest, I can assure you”.

Bird of the Century, usually called Bird of the Year, is on the list for the third time. This year’s quote is a response to comedian John Oliver campaigning for the puteketeke. Save the Kiwi’s Erin Reilly exclaimed, “A B-grade American celebrity coming out and essentially hijacking Bird of the Century. I don’t think he even likes birds.” Oliver replied that the B-grade was “generous”.

A quote that just missed out was a line from Chris Hipkins’ concession speech: “When the tide comes in big, it almost invariably goes out big as well.”

The list

1. “I don't listen to rumours. I just start them." Taika Waititi when asked to identify the wildest rumour he ever heard about himself.
2. "I encourage all of you to go out there, have more babies if you wish, that would be helpful." Christopher Luxon on how New Zealand’s economic agenda needs people.
3. “A B-grade American celebrity coming out and essentially hijacking Bird of the Century. I don’t think he even likes birds.” Save the Kiwi’s Erin Reilly reacting to John Oliver’s campaign for the puteketeke.
4. “Nah, we’re just three Māori boys.” Mikey Kihi, Rikki Kihi, and Morehu Maxwell when asked if they were from the navy as they rescued trapped citizens during Cyclone Gabrielle.
5. "How big is his hole?" Nicola Willis in parliament questioning Grant Robertson about a fiscal hole.
6. “You can be a mother, or not, an ex-Mormon, or not, a nerd, a crier, a hugger – you can be all of these things, and not only can you be here – you can lead.” Jacinda Ardern’s emotional farewell speech to Parliament.
7. “There is nobody who fails to be interesting.” Broadcaster Kim Hill reflecting on her years of interviewing.
8. “Up the wahs!” New Zealand Warriors fans and most of New Zealand cheering on the rugby league team.
9. “The issue is rain. We really need that to stop.” Mayor Wayne Brown as Auckland prepared to enter a state of emergency.
10. “'Oh, have you got ID?" Wairarapa bar manager Debbie Sinclair to Ed Sheeran when he made a surprise visit, and she thought it was a government sting operation.

How to vote

Click here to vote for your favourite quote.

The winner will be announced in the week before Christmas.

More information on Quote of the Year

Quote of the Year began in 2011 with the aim of capturing New Zealand’s best language moments. The public nominate the quotes and vote for their favourite.

Previous winners range from the Shortland Street cliffhanger “Please tell me that’s not your penis” to the heartfelt words of Sarah Qasem’s to the Christchurch terrorist who killed her father “These tears are not for you.”