Quote of the year: Luxon’s ‘go make a marmite sandwich’ in running for annual contest

Luxon first made the comments during an interview with Newstalk ZB in March, saying parents who were unhappy with the lunches should pack them themselves.

Talking to reporters later, he acknowledged not everyone can afford to make lunches but said for many a loaf of bread, some jam, and a piece of fruit isn’t “rocket science”.

Previous winners included a parrot who blurted out “hello darling!” when she was found after disappearing for a week, a Christchurch terror attack victim’s words at the terrorist’s sentencing and a jibe from Act leader David Seymour about a potential lamington attack from protesters.

2025 nominees

“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.” Luxon, in response to media coverage about the school lunches programme.“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.“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.“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.“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.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.“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 Norman Lear Achievement Award.“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.” Senior Journalist 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… in Parliament.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.“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 panel said the selection of quotes was a mirror of the issues New Zealanders discussed and read about this year.

“They are also unfiltered. Many of these quotes were not polished soundbites, but raw, emotional moments, that got people talking. Whether it was humour, outrage, or ambition, the power of these quotes lies in their ability to spark debate.”

The public could vote for their favourite quote here. Voting would close at 12am Monday, December 15, with the winner announced later that week.

-RNZ