The Project - First Episode

I'm starting to think maybe Trump was just watching an episode of The Muppet Show with the Swedish Chef — like "the chef's in those kitchens, there's chickens and monsters running everywhere..."

– Rove McManus on Donald Trump's confusing comments about an "event" in Sweden, early in the show

New Zealand's always had a real problem with putting money in the wrong places. When it comes to drug problems we give money to the police, we lock people up, and we've failed to give enough treatment to people who need it.

– NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell on New Zealand's need for more drug rehabilitation services

Well it's just a pleasure for us to give a young, promising broadcaster a go...

– Co-presenter Jesse Mulligan pokes fun at The Project's Australian founder Rove McManus, at the start of the show

Timaru's actually got a...my hometown Timaru has a Michelin restaurant. Well it's just a restaurant with a tyre swing outside —but very popular.

– Josh Thomson on Timaru's "Michelin" restaurant

I think there are so many little girls who can now see someone like them on TV. That means a lot to me. It feels like I can breathe a sigh of relief too, because when I started in the newsroom at Three, I was the only wāhine Maori, the only one.

– Co-presenter Kanoa Lloyd on growing numbers of Māori women on television, The Sunday Star-Times, 20 February 2022

...it felt like Mediaworks had worked hard to get the right combination of people behind the desk. [Jesse] Mulligan was a pro as the (mostly) serious anchor while [Kanoa] Lloyd showed there's so much more to her than weather presenting. Lastly, [Josh] Thomson who no doubt honed his comedy panel skills on 7 Days, was a good fit as the funny guy.

– Stuff writer Sarah Nealon watches a live dress rehearsal before The Project's first episode goes to air, Stuff, February 2017