Past winning quotes -

Previous Quote of the Year winners

2024

"Hello, darling!"

– Pepper the bird-napped cockatoo identifying herself at the Porirua Police station with her signature words.

2023

"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.

2022

"I would have thought that Grant Robertson would be a much bigger threat to lamingtons than lamingtons would be a threat to Grant Robertson."

– ACT Party leader David Seymour talking about police protecting Grant Robertson from a protester carrying a scrumptious pink lamington.

2021

"It is a challenge in high-density areas for people to get outside and spread their legs."

– COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins accidentally referring to New Zealanders going outside to 'spread their legs' instead of 'stretch their legs'.

2020

"Let it be known these tears are not for you."

– Sara Qasem, daughter of Abdelfattah Qasem, speaking to the Christchurch terrorist in her victim impact statement. Her father had been praying at the Al Noor mosque when the killer gunned him down.

2019

"They are us."

– Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking about Muslim victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack.

2018

"Winston Peters spends a huge amount of time on me, on Paula Bennett – Benefit – Ben – Paula Bennett."

– National Party leader Simon Bridges made a slip of the tongue when referring to colleague Paula Bennett.

2017

"Please tell me that is not your penis."

– Actor Michael Galvin, in character as Shortland Street's Dr Chris Warner, confronting his on-screen son Harry about a nude photo, in a cliff-hanger ending.

2016

"Sex just can't be that good."

– Green MP Denise Roche when asked about Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki's statement that homosexuality causes earthquakes.

2015

"Here's the thing – none of us get out of life alive. So be gallant, be gracious, and be grateful for the opportunities that you have."

– Christchurch Boys' High School head boy Jake Bailey's speech at the senior prize-giving ceremony.

2014

"I play politics like Fijians play rugby. My role is smashing your face into the ground."

– "Whale Oil" blogger Cameron Slater after Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics was released.

2013

"One of the messages I had was that this bill was the cause of our drought... Well... in the Pakuranga electorate this morning it was pouring with rain. We had the most enormous big gay rainbow across my electorate."

– National MP Maurice Williamson in his speech to Parliament supporting the bill to legalise gay marriage.

2012

"Zip it, sweetie."

– Social Development Minister Paula Bennett to Jacinda Ardern in Parliament.

2011

"I've been internalising a really complicated situation in my head."

– Actor Darcey-Ray Flavell-Hudson in the NZTA drink-driving advertisement 'Legend'.

In memory of Dr Heather Kavan

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 of long tenure, 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. 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 said, adding that we can all relax because Kiwis seem to like us more when we make a mistake.