'Zip it' favourite for quote of year

"Zip it, sweetie" said to Jacinda Ardern in Parliament is in competition for favourite quote of the year. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Bennett's line to rival is the organisers' top pick, but final decision to be made by public.

Was it the words, who said it or just that two female politicians were baring their claws?

Whatever made it memorable, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett's three-word quip, "Zip it, sweetie", to Labour MP Jacinda Ardern is among 10 quotes shortlisted for New Zealand's quote of the year.

Organisers of the Massey University competition say the quote is their favourite, but the final decision will be made by the public - voting opens today and people can have their say on who they think deserves the title.

Act MP John Banks is the only person with two quotes on the list and both are about his involvement with Kim Dotcom.

There was the time his memory apparently let him down and he said, "I don't remember" in response to a question about his helicopter ride to Dotcom's mansion.

The second was: "I did not come up the river on a cabbage boat."

But politicians are not the only ones whose silly, pithy or witty quotes - which were culled from more than 50 - to come up with the judges' top 10 favourites.

Competition organiser Dr Heather Kavan, who is a speech writing specialist at Massey University, said there were more quotes from comedians this year than previously.

"Although delivery wasn't listed as an important criterion, it inevitably influences the decisions and a good example of that is the Nonu Nonu one," Dr Kavan said.

"And the Ewen Gilmour one is hilarious when you hear it on stage."

The shortlist:

"I come to Wellington and I'm scared to be here."
Bob Parker at an emergency management conference about Wellington's buildings.

"I did not come up the river on a cabbage boat."
John Banks responding to media questions about Dotcom.

"I don't remember."
John Banks' response when asked about his helicopter ride to Dotcom's mansion.

"I just want to emphasise that it is not our best guess, it's just a guess."
Bill English on the financial value of state assets.

"New Zealand's got some great brains out there and most of them are kids."
Luke Nola accepting the NZ TV award for best children's programme.

"Nonu, Nonu, Nonu, boom!"
Actor Byron Coll in Mastercard-All Black advertisement.

"Oh f***! I can't afford that."
Ewen Gilmour after his doctor told him he was going to live for another 40 years.

"Who needs to be able to quote Shakespeare if you can play rugby?"
17-year-old Joshua Iosefo on Campbell Live.

"Your dish was a car crash but all of the occupants survived."
Josh Emett judging MasterChef NZ.

"Zip it, sweetie."
Paula Bennett to Jacinda Ardern in Parliament.

Vote for your favourite: http://goo.gl/JTrzk