Massey University launches search for quote of 2012

Massey University is asking New Zealanders to stop “internalising a complicated situation” and start nominating as it launches a search to find the New Zealand quote of 2012.

Following the success of last year’s Top Ten Memorable Quotes of the Year competition, the University is inviting both students and the general public to nominate any interesting one-liners they hear throughout the year. Quotes can come from a variety of sources, including movies, advertising, speeches, comedy, or news reports.

Massey University Speech Writing lecturer Dr Heather Kavan says entries can be rousing, amusing, or memorable. “It’s a people’s choice vote, so we’re looking for quotes that are appealing. Some people were surprised Nek Minnit was not in the top ten last year, but others were relieved.”

Last year the quote – "I've been internalising a really complicated situation in my head” – from the New Zealand Transport Authority’s anti drink-drive television advert was voted top.

Another quote from the same advert – "You know I can't grab your ghost chips!" – was the second most popular. In election year, it was no surprise that comments from MPs took third and fourth place, with Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker’s poignant post-earthquake speech to the Christchurch City Council in fifth place.

Dr Kavan says, as a lecturer in speechwriting, she is fascinated by the power of language and is always looking for great one-liners. “A good one-liner is brief, witty, and original,” she says. “We recognise a great one because we want to say it ourselves.”

There is a $100 prize for the first person to nominate the winning quote, which will be decided by public vote from a shortlist in December. To nominate a quote, visit https://masseyuni.wufoo.eu/forms/2012-quote-of-the-year-nomination and fill out the online form. Nominated quotes and other updates will be posted on Massey’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/masseyuniversity until nominations close on December 1.

A shortlist of the best 10 quotes will be decided by a panel of experts, including Massey University Vice-Chancellor the Hon Steve Maharey. The shortlist will then be opened to public vote for three weeks, with the Quote of the Year announced on December 21.

The top 10 quotes from Massey University in 2011 were:

1. "I've been internalising a really complicated situation in my head." Actor Darcey-Ray Flavell in the NZTA drink-driving ad where a young man is pondering all the arguments for and against telling his friend not to drive.
2. "You know I can't grab your ghost chips!" Actor Darcey-Ray Flavell in the NZTA drink-driving ad where a young man imagines his friend dying in a car crash and returning as a ghost who offers him chips.
3. “Government is not there to make your life a better place necessarily.” National MP David Bennett.
4. "To have a cell phone, a dog and a ute". Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson, on all a person needs to claim to be a builder.
5. "The real story of what has happened in Christchurch is the heroic story at the grass roots level, which is neighbour working with neighbour." Mayor Bob Parker’s speech to the Christchurch City Council.
6. "The Government has banned Fijian rugby players with military connections, criminal convictions, or who are competitive at the breakdown." Jeremy Corbett on 7 Days.
7. “If we continue the bankrupt response of just paying young Polynesian, young Maori men in South Auckland, the dole to sit in front of TV, smoke marijuana, watch pornography and plan more drug offending, more burglaries, then we are going to have them coming through our window regardless if we live in Epsom or anywhere else in the greater Auckland." John Banks interviewed by Sean Plunket on The Nation.
8. "Naturally I finished my set." Sales representative Cameron Leslie who was at a gym in Oslo, Norway, when a fatal bomb went off 50 metres away recalls the incident to John Campbell on Campbell Live.
9. "It’s my heart Craig, not my gonads.” Rhys Darby's character ‘Doug’ in the film Lovebirds.
10. "These guys have gone from the Stone Age to the space age in 150 years, and haven't said thanks." ACT party marketing director John Ansell speaking about Maori. He later resigned from his position.