Government officials in New Zealand like to live dangerously.
At least, that's the simplest explanation for the country's "Flag Consideration Project," which has openly invited the Internet to submit alternative designs for New Zealand's national flag. The country will possibly vote on the new image in a referendum in March 2016.
That's right: New Zealand has asked the Internet to help it design a new national flag.
Despite the obvious risk inherent in outsourcing a large symbol of your country's national pride to a large group of strangers, most of the entries are -- surprisingly -- quite good.
Others, however, trend to the more delightfully weird end of the spectrum (including one flag that features a Kiwi -- a flightless bird native to New Zealand -- shooting lasers from its eyes).
We've collected some of our favorite entries below. Each one comes with a description written by the person who created the design:
The laser beam projects a powerful image of New Zealand. I believe my design is so powerful it does not need to be discussed.Designed by: James Gray from Auckland
That feel when our eyes gaze upon the flightless and majestic rare-Kiwi bird is a classic icon of NZ's deep relationship with our ancestors, their spirit, land and culture. Te Pepe Tamariki, Te Papa Aotearoa.Designed by: David Astil from Waikato
Blue sky, blue sea. K.I.S.B Keep it simple Bro!, everyone has a blue sheet at home they can cut up, Bam! 12 flags from one sheet. We will have flag saturation! everyonr can afford to fly one.Designed by: Phil Plunkett from Auckland
Animals, nature, blah, blah, blah.Designed by: James Ireland from Auckland
Because it portrays that we are a nation of happy, harmless kwis.Designed by: Davy Lee from Auckland
New Zealanders are very interested in Snapper quota, and what better way to bring it to the people than this country's native bird - the Unihorned Kiwi bird.Designed by: Charlotte Drene from Canterbury
Red is cool .... Looks fast and easy to make. Flys upside down and inside out.... Dragons and NInjas like red...Designed by: Phil Plunkett from Auckland
This flag combines the Southern Cross and colour scheme of our existing flag, with the rainbow design of the popular Nyan Cat meme. This design uses the Nyan Kiwi. The kiwi's colour represents our mixed race society, and its trail represents the colourful variety of cultures present in New Zealand society. The Nyan theme music could also be used as fresh, and simpler, national anthem.Designed by: Fosh from Wellington
Bird accualy is kiwi. Is well known icon of our country and people. Also stars are southern cross and blue is pacific ocean. Where we're from and how we got here.Designed by: Aku A. from Waikato
This design represents all of NZ because we have lots of sheep and love hokey pokey ice cream. I even included the blue and red to keep all of you naysayers happy. Kiwi as bro.Designed by: Jesse Gibbs from Canterbury
I believe it accurately represents the NZ people as hard working people from today on into the future.Designed by: James Ringwood from Auckland
H/T BBC
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