New Zealand crowd-sources designs for national flag with hilarious results
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The New Zealand flag flying in strong wind. Some motion on flag edges.
New Zealand is looking to update its national flag, so who better to design its new look than the people themselves?
Or maybe not.
The government of New Zealand has officially opened a nationwide search -- with some hilarious results.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Flag Consideration Project allows any New Zealander with access to the Internet the chance to design and submit ideas on how to change the current flag, which features four stars on a blue background with a small Union Jack in the upper left hand corner.
Submissions will be taken until August, 2015 and the new design will be voted on by referendum in March, 2016.
So far, some of the ideas are pretty creative while others are downright wacky. There are plenty of hand-drawn kiwis—a brown flightless bird native to the country—one of which lasers shooting from the bird's eyes. Others reference the country's artists, like the singer Lorde or Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, actors and creators behind the cult HBO hit, "Flight of the Conchords."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After we stopped laughing, we rounded up some of our favorites below.
Sheep and ice cream because, why not?
In a country with a little over seven sheep per person, this flag certainly makes sense to us.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Laser-eyed kiwi bird
"The laser beam projects a powerful image of New Zealand. I believe my design is so powerful it does not need to be discussed," designer James Gray from Auckland.
Follow the rainbow trail
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A colorful approach.
'Flight of the Conchords' flag
An artistic nod to the three main characters of the cult favorite HBO show, perhaps one of the country's greatest exports.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lorde is certainly a "Royal" to the people of her native New Zealand
A bunch of sad-looking birds