Taboo swear word named Massey University quote of the year

Thursday 18 December 2025 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated Thu 18 Dec 2025, 5:00am

In this story Brooke van Velden, Massey University, Sunday Star-Times

A remark by journalist Andrea Vance has been selected as the 2025 quote of the year by Massey University. The quote appeared in a May Sunday Star-Times column regarding the Pay Equity Amendment Bill. The winning phrase gained national attention for its use of a controversial word.

How they headlined it

5am

1. The PressThu 18 Dec 2025, 5:00am

   The C-word hits the mark as quote of the year (opens in new tab)

   Also on Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsThu 18 Dec 2025, 5:00am

   'You can have it all... ': 2025's quote of the year revealed (opens in new tab)