The New Zealand government has asked its citizen to suggest a new national flag, and their call has been answered with true Kiwi irreverence.

More than 1200 designs have been submitted to the official website, many of which have made generous use of the nation’s bird mascot and huge population of sheep.

Some citizens also wanted their nation to fly thongs, a surfer and ‘fush and chups’ proudly from every flag pole.

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Prime Minister John Key thinks a silver fern might be a little more appropriate.

“It is the symbol of New Zealand, it is internationally recognisable,” Mr Key said last year.

Online close on July 16, when a panel will select the best four.

New Zealanders will then vote on their favourite from this shortlist, and then vote again to decide between the competition winner and the current flag.

The referendum will be held in February 2016 at an estimated cost of more than $25 million.

The returned and services association (RSA) in New Zealand has opposed the flag change, preferring to keep the current design of the Union Jack on a blue background with the Southern Cross.

“New Zealand soldiers have served under it and New Zealanders have died under it,” said RSA president Don McIver last year.

Here are some of the most ridiculous designs and their hilarious descriptions