New Zealand landscape New Zealand landscape New Zealand landscape
New Zealand landscape New Zealand landscape New Zealand landscape

Quote of the Year 2025 -

This is your chance to tell us what you think is the most memorable quote of 2025. If there is a quote you think deserves to be celebrated, Massey University encourages you to nominate it.

The top 10 quotes will feature in New Zealand’s Quote of the Year competition, now in its 15th year. They will then go to a public vote, with the winner announced before Christmas.

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 have 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.

Submit your nomination for Quote of the Year

Nominations close at 11.59pm on Friday, 5 December.

Constable Tushar and Pepper, the cockatoo who won Quote of the Year 2024. Constable Tushar and Pepper, the cockatoo who won Quote of the Year 2024.

Meet the past winners of Quote of the Year

Pepper the cockatoo won Quote of the Year 2024 with the distinctive catch cry of “Hello, darling!”. Find the winning quotes from 2011 to 2024.

A portrait of Heather Kavan A portrait of Heather Kavan

In memory of Dr Heather Kavan

We pay tribute to Quote of the Year founder, the late Dr Heather Kavan. Dr Kavan specialised in speechwriting, extreme religions and media law. She was internationally recognised for her speechwriting, nationally recognised for her teaching and known for a genuine care for her students. Her book They Said What?! has the best Kiwi quotes from past competitions.