Nominations open for Quote of the Year

If there is a quote you would like New Zealanders to celebrate, we want to hear from you. 

The quote can be spoken or written and can be from any public source, including social media posts.

Competition organiser Dr Heather Kavan says the judging panel are always looking for variety.

“The quotes can be stirring, comedic, clever, tragic, inspirational, or even embarrassing,” she said.

The quotes could also be ones that would normally be forgettable but impacted people because of their timing and context. “What’s important is that they give people ‘yes’ moments,” Kavan said. “That may be ‘yes, that moves me deeply,’ or ‘yes, that’s so true,’ or ‘yes, that’s so cringy.’"

How to nominate

If you would like to nominate a quote, be sure to check that the line was said or written by a New Zealander during 2023.

Also, check that the quote is from a public source. This could be a speech, news story, social media post, advertisement, or television show.  

Then fill in the nomination form here. You will be asked the quote, the speaker’s name, and a brief explanation of the context.

Nominations close at midnight, Monday 4 December.

The judging panel will choose ten finalists, and the public will have a week to vote for their favourite. The winning quote will be announced before Christmas.

Previous winners

The annual competition began in 2011. Each year the favourite quotes reflect the year's events, mood, and character. Here are the winners and runner-ups from the last three years:

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.” − David Seymour on police protecting Grant Robertson from a protester carrying a lamington.

“They said nobody cared about women’s rugby. Well guess what? We out here! We out here fam!” − Ruby Tui to the crowd after the Black Ferns claimed a sixth Rugby World Cup.

2021

“It is a challenge in high density areas for people to get outside and spread their legs.” − Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins’ slip of the tongue.

"No, it's a f__ing goat." − Toddler mimicking her mum's description of a goat in her garden.

2020

“Let it be known these tears are not for you.” − Sara Qasem, daughter of Abdelfattah Qasem, speaking to the Christchurch Mosque gunman in her victim impact statement.

“There are no new cases of Covid-19 to report in New Zealand today.” − Dr Ashley Bloomfield at press conferences throughout the year.