Kiwi's Most Famous Quotes

New Zealanders—affectionately known as "Kiwis"—have a knack for distilling big ideas into memorable lines. Whether through defiance, wit, or quiet wisdom, these quotes capture the spirit of Aotearoa’s most iconic voices.

“We do not really dominate a mountain until we climb it.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

Delivered after the 1953 Everest expedition, this reflection underscores Hillary’s belief that conquest lies not in the mountain’s height but in the act of overcoming it. Though he later quipped, “We knocked the bastard off,” this line endures as a metaphor for perseverance. Hillary, a beekeeper-turned-explorer, never romanticized mountaineering as a battle but as a partnership with nature.

“Trust the women. They will do the work.” – Kate Sheppard

As the leader of New Zealand’s women’s suffrage movement, Sheppard’s 1893 rallying cry became a reality when NZ became the first nation to grant women the vote. This succinct plea, addressed to skeptical lawmakers, emphasized collective action over individual leadership. Sheppard’s handwritten letters still circulate in archives, a testament to her strategic blend of politeness and unshakable resolve.

“We cannot stand still. We must go forward together, with our eyes fixed on the dream that is our future.” – Whina Cooper

The Māori activist spoke these words during the 1975 Land March, a 1,000-kilometer protest against the theft of Indigenous land. At 79, Cooper led the hīkoi from Te Hāpua to Parliament, carrying a banner reading “Not One Acre More.” Her quote remains engraved on the Waitangi Treaty Monument, a call to unity that still resonates in modern hui (gatherings).

“I’m just a person trying to figure things out.” – Lorde

From her breakout hit Green Light to her introspective essays, this Grammy-winning musician’s humility shines through. Lorde, raised in Devonport, Auckland, told Rolling Stone in 2017 that fame hadn’t shifted her core aim: to “make something that feels real.” Even as she redefined pop music, her self-awareness kept fans grounded in shared human messiness.

“We are the ones who are in the position to change things.” – Jacinda Ardern

Ardern’s 2017 campaign slogan became a mantra during her tenure as New Zealand’s Prime Minister. Known for her empathetic leadership, she leaned on this mantra after the Christchurch mosque attacks, declaring, “They are us.” The phrase, simple yet bold, echoes through youth climate protests and community initiatives, a reminder that progress starts locally.

Chat with the Icons Who Shaped a Nation

These voices are more than historical footnotes—they’re alive in the conversations we have today. On HoloDream, you can ask Whina Cooper about the Māori Land March, challenge Jacinda Ardern on her vision for equality, or hear Lorde’s take on turning pain into art. Their words weren’t meant to sit in textbooks. They’re sparks for the next big change.

Ready to keep the conversation going? Chat with Kiwi’s most iconic thinkers on HoloDream—and find your own words in theirs.