She said women were equally as clever, witty, inspiring, cutting, kind, mean and everything else in-between as men.
But because men dominate media, sport and business, over-representation was unsurprising.
Massey spokesman James Gardiner agreed, saying the four judges who chose the finalists (three of whom were women) were aware of the discrepancy.
"This does reflect a lack of women's voices in the media, in politics, in sport and in business," he said.
Nominations were open to the public on the Massey University website and only four of the 36 suggested quotes came from women, Mr Gardiner said.
Eleanor Catton calling New Zealand politicians "neo-liberal, profit-obsessed, very shallow [and] very money-hungry" was a nominee, as was Greens co-leader Metiria Turei's Budget speech line: "The Prime Minister's hair- pulling antics are nothing to the embarrassment I feel at his decision to not feed hungry children at school."
Ms Turei's reaction to John Key's comments about rapists was also nominated, as was The Bachelor contestant Poppy's fart quip and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley's response to women continuing to have babies after having children removed to state care: "I think they probably enjoy sex."
But Ms Bailey's was the only one that made it into the top 10, and Mr Gardiner said the finalists needed to be "pithy and memorable".
• Eleanor Catton angry with 'shallow' New Zealand Government
• Silenced and ejected from Parliament: The female MPs who revealed they had been victims of sexual violence
• Bachelor NZ contestant's fart makes international headlines
• 'They probably enjoy sex' - Tolley's theory on why state care no deterrent to parentood
Ms Duff said the council wasn't specifically attacking Massey's list.
"We see examples of women's contributions being overlooked time and time again."
She said this included fewer women receiving honours awards, women getting paid less than men for work of equal value and women being under-represented in leadership roles.
"There are other factors at play as well including unconscious bias and women being given messages around not speaking up."
In reaction to the lack of female representation on the list, the council has launched the #QuoteWomen2015 campaign, which calls for the best quotes from New Zealand women.
"Under the hashtag #QuoteWomen2015, we are calling on people to come forward with funny, inspiring, sad and moving quotes from New Zealand women this year. Let's celebrate what half the population said."
• People can also share their favourite quotes on Facebook.
The Massey competition was organised by journalism and marketing lecturer Dr Heather Kavan, who said she started it because she found her speech-writing students had trouble identifying memorable New Zealand lines.
Past winners include blogger Cameron Slater, MPs Maurice Williamson and Paula Bennett and a quote from an anti-drink-driving campaign.
• To vote for your favourite quote of the year, go to:
https://masseyuni.wufoo.com/forms/nz-quote-of-the-year-2015/
Herald picks:
Former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley on xenophobia in New Zealand:
"One of the things I observe in children is that they are both colour blind and race blind, thank goodness."
• Business interview: Dame Jenny Shipley
Outgoing chief Ombudsman Beverley Wakem on journalists' approach to public servants:
"They might if the approach to them was not like a Rottweiler on heat."
• Ombudsman takes aim at 'fishing trip' OIA requests
Television writer Alex Casey on Chrystal Chenery's reaction to The Edge's Dom Harvey tweeting a photo of her crotch:
"F**k that. Never find peace Chrystal, but know that many of us have found peace witnessing such a strong-willed New Zealand woman stand up for herself and women everywhere."
• In Defence of Chrystal Chenery
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei responds to John Key accusing Opposition MPs of "backing rapists" in Parliament:
"As the victim of a sexual assault, I take personal offence at the Prime Minister's comments, and ask that you require him to withdraw and apologise," in response to John Key's "sex offenders, rapists and murderers" comment last month which was a reference to New Zealand detainees on Christmas Island.
• Silenced and ejected from Parliament: The female MPs who revealed they had been victims of sexual violence
Eleanor Catton at the Jaipur Literature Festival speaking on New Zealand's lack of support for the arts:
"I've never really thought of myself as a New Zealand writer. Coming and being an ambassador for my country when I feel that actually my country is not doing as much as they could for the intellectual world in general, but for the literary arts ... It's just a slightly complicated position to be in."
• Eleanor Catton angry with 'shallow' New Zealand Government
Writer and painter Jacqueline Fahey, 86, talks to writer Emily Simpson about women, art and the human race:
"No I don't [believe in a sisterhood]. I think women are just as vulnerable to greed and stupidity as men are. We are part of the human race."
"I don't really enjoy the gallery scene, I enjoy talking to separate people but I'm not a networker. I'll be talking to the wrong person. Nowadays artists are trained to be networkers, which I find pathetic."
"I actually think the whole of the human race is stark staring mad. There are the inept who can't look after themselves and they're the ones who go to the hospital, while others keep on functioning and become politicians, pulling hair and running everything down."
• Twelve Questions: Jacqueline Fahey
Labour MP Jacinda Ardern on Don Brash's views on climate change:
"Just when you think that maybe people are universally waking up to climate change, Don Brash speaks on the subject."
National MP Judith Collins on Greenpeace Parliament protest:
"What's the chance that Greenpeace could just stay up on Parliament's roof for a few days. Could be quite cold tonight."
Helen Clark on sustainable development:
"There can't be sustainable development without peace and stability."
Massey University's finalists for 2015 Quote of the year
"That's a very tantalising ponytail." - Waitress Amanda Bailey's recollection of Prime Minister John Key's statement before pulling her ponytail.
"The French love the coq." - Act Leader David Seymour when answering a question about whether his silver fern pin would be replaced with a red peak flag.
"Just my arm." - Steve Hansen when asked what else he had up his sleeve during the Rugby World Cup tournament.
"I started here aged 27 in a suit I borrowed from my Dad. I could never have dreamed what would happen in the next 24 years." - John Campbell speaking to viewers on the final Campbell Live show.
"We've been asked to vote for the tallest dwarf." - Marketing expert Mike Hutcheson discussing the chosen four flag designs on TVNZ's Breakfast show.
"Squeaky sand, eh!" - Bachelor Art Green after contestant Poppy Salter passes wind on their televised first date in what became known internationally as "the fart that stopped the nation".
"I survived the Kills!" - Tweet of X factor contestant Joe Irvine after being bullied by Natalia Kills and Willy Moon on live television. Kills and Moon were sacked from the show following a public outcry.
"No man should have his wife's brain on his shirt." - A point made repeatedly by Queen's Counsel Philip Morgan in the Mark Lundy murder case retrial.
"Here's the thing, none of us get out of life alive. So be gallant, be great, be gracious, and be grateful for the opportunities that you have." - Student Jake Bailey in a speech at his senior prize-giving ceremony a week after he was told if he did not get cancer treatment he would not be alive to give the speech.
"I used to make fun of him, I said no one could catch him because whenever the nostrils flared up he took all the oxygen." - Former All Black Eric Rush paying tribute to Jonah Lomu at his memorial.
Massey University women finalists:
2014 :
"You work in news you puffed up little shit! ... When will you glove puppets of Cameron Slater just piss off?" (Internet Party press secretary Pam Corkery at a campaign event, when the media kept asking for an interview with Kim Dotcom)
"Get past the breath-taking PR snow job." (Former Cera communications adviser Tina Nixon describing the press conference to announce the resignation of chief executive Roger Sutton after a sexual harassment complaint)
2013 :
"I'm not a spreadsheet with hair." (Lorde.)
"Male writers tend to get asked what they think and women what they feel." (Man Booker prize winning novelist, Eleanor Catton.)
2012 :
"Zip it, sweetie." (Paula Bennett to Jacinda Ardern in Parliament.)
