Massey University has released its 2025 quote of the year winner.
The winning quote was written by The Post national affairs editor Andrea Vance in a Sunday Star Times column in May. The column took aim the Pay Equity Amendment Bill, which passed through all stages in Parliament under urgency.
The controversial legislation raised the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued when making a pay equity claim. Opponents said at the time it will make it harder for women in female dominated industries to make a claim.
In her column, Vance wrote: "Turns out you can have it all. So long as you're prepared to be a c…t to the women who birth your kids, school your offspring and wipe the arse of your elderly parents while you stand on their shoulders to earn your six-figure, taxpayer-funded pay packet."
Brooke van Velden became the first MP to use the word in the House of Representatives as she quoted a Sunday Star-Times article. (Source: 1News)
Shortly after the column was published, Vance's words made parliamentary history, when ACT deputy leader Brooke Van Velden quoted it in the House and became the first person to use the C-word in Parliament.
Vance's quote earned 41% of the near 4000 votes.
Media consultant and Massey University journalism lecturer Charlotte Shipman, who was on the judging panel, said the quote's power lies in the purposeful use of the swear word.
"Swearing for the sake of it isn’t enough to shock Kiwis. Andrea used it as a vehicle to drive the bigger point about how many women this decision affected; she could have said midwives, teachers and aged care workers but she chose to highlight what they do, not what they are," said Shipman.
Second place came from Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick in August, who issued some fiery words during a debate on Palestinian statehood.
The Green Party co-leader declined to apologise after calling on six Government MPs "with a spine" to vote on the Party's bill to sanction Israel. (Source: Supplied)
"If we can find six of 68 Government MPs with a spine, we can stand on the right side of history," Swarbrick said.
Her words led to her being ejected from Parliament, and she was initially suspended for a week before the Speaker of the House rethought his decision.
Third place went to North Canterbury Hunting Competition organiser Matt Baile, who had some memorable words for a question about feral cats.
"They're killing our native birds and not shagging them."
The Conversation New Zealand editor Finlay McDonald, who was also part of the panel who shortlisted the nominated quotes, said while New Zealanders are often typecast as reserved and reticent, the three top quotes suggest "we also appreciate bluntness when it's called for".
"You didn't necessarily need to agree with them to still appreciate they were authentic and heartfelt."
Previous winners have often been accidental slip ups such as former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' infamous “spread your legs” gaffe, or former National Party leader Simon Bridges’ “Paula Benefit” blunder.
Top 10 quotes of the year
- "Turns out you can have it all. So long as you're prepared to be a c…t to the women who birth your kids, school your offspring and wipe the arse of your elderly parents while you stand on their shoulders to earn your six-figure, taxpayer-funded pay packet." Stuff National Affairs Editor Andrea Vance in a Sunday Star Times column skewering the Government's abolishment of ongoing pay equity claims, which inspired Brooke van Velden to be the first person in New Zealand's history to say c*nt in Parliament.
- "If we find six of 68 Government MPs with a spine, we can stand on the right side of history." Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick speaking at Parliament in August during a debate on Palestinian Statehood, leading to her being ejected from the house.
- "They're killing our native birds and not shagging them." Matt Bailey, organiser of the North Canterbury Hunting Competition, when asked if trapping, neutering, and releasing feral cats would be better than culling them.
- "Wildlife doesn't have brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers to call the police if something happens.” Department of Conservation prosecutor Mike Bodie at a court hearing for a South Korean man who was caught trying to smuggle rare geckos out of New Zealand.
- "If you are unhappy with it, for God's sake, go make a Marmite sandwich and put an apple in a bag just like you and I had.” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, in response to media coverage about the school lunches programme.
- "I know he's the Prime Minister, I made him the Prime Minister.” Foreign Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, when questioned by reporters over why he didn’t consult with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over the sacking of former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Phil Goff, following his comments about United States President Donald Trump.
- "If it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck, it's not looking good, is it?” Public Service Minister Judith Collins, in response to the Independent Police Conduct Authority report into the Police handling of complaints against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
- "Thank you so much for believing in Indigenous stories and believing they could be more than just brown people standing on a mountain playing a flute talking to ancestors.” Film maker and actor Taika Waititi during his acceptance speech for receiving the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Norman Lear Achievement Award.
- "I will not be setting a precedent that the way to get a meeting with me is to don an adult nappy and chain yourself to a door.” Finance Minister Nicola Willis after a group of six priests chained themselves together outside her office, calling for sanctions on Israel.
- "The next goal is to jump 2.40m as that's quite a key height, and also because it'd be kind of cool to be able to jump over a ceiling.” Olympic gold medallist Hamish Kerr on Paddy Gower’s podcast The F#$%ing News.
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