Laser Kiwi flag

The Laser Kiwi flag, originally titled Fire the Lazar,^[1] was designed in 2015 by Lucy Gray as a proposed flag of New Zealand for the 2015–2016 New Zealand flag referendums. It has since become a social media phenomenon that has created ongoing interest in the design.

Laser Kiwi flag

Use	Proposed
Proportion	1:2
Design	A black flag charged with a New Zealand fern and a kiwi shooting a green laser beam from its eye.
Designed by	Lucy Gray

Background

The Laser Kiwi flag was created in 2015 by Lucy Gray, a former ACT Party candidate,^[2] as a proposed flag of New Zealand.^[3] She produced the flag design in Microsoft Paint during an evening. Inspired by the many "deadly animals" in Australia, she took a Kiwi icon and turned it into a deadly animal. When the initial four chosen options were released for the first stage of the New Zealand flag referendums, Gray stated that she was "uninspired" by the designs as they "didn't derive much meaning" for her.^[3]

During the New Zealand flag referendums, the Laser Kiwi flag became a large social media phenomenon and was used in comedy routines by comedians, such as John Oliver, discussing the flag referendum and New Zealand in general.^[4] The flag features a New Zealand fern and a kiwi shooting a green laser beam from its eyes. The description of the flag was that "the laser beam projects a powerful image of New Zealand. I believe my design is so powerful it does not need to be discussed."^[5] It was often joked by comedians that if the flag was to become the official flag of New Zealand, it would cause "fear" in New Zealand's enemies.^[6]

Post-referendum popularity

After the referendum, the flag's popularity made a "comeback" as it became widely available as a consumer product, and is often seen at events such as sports or concerts across and outside of New Zealand.^[7] During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Laser Kiwi flag was used as a symbol by volunteer soldiers from New Zealand.^[8][9] A similar design was submitted for the 2023 contest to redesign the flag of Minnesota, featuring a loon with laser eyes.^[10]

References

1. "The tangled tale of New Zealand's flag debate". BBC News. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
2. "Exclusive: Former Act candidate slams David Seymour on trans issues". Express. 8 October 2020. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
3. Price, Rosanna (1 September 2015). "Laser-kiwi artist uninspired by flag designs". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
4. "Laser Kiwi flag". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 1 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
5. Humorous reference to a 2010 comment by ACT on Campus president Rick Giles. See Young Act § Opposition of Earth Hour and "I think my argument is so powerful". Know Your Meme. 10 June 2010. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
6. Hunt, Elle (15 May 2015). "New Zealand's new flag: 15 quirky contenders". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
7. Wall, Jamie (13 November 2017). "Behind the scenes: the Laser Kiwi banner that lifted the All Whites". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
8. "Laser Kiwi flag spotted on Ukraine battlefield". NZ Herald. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
9. Halpin, James (26 May 2023). "NZ soldier fighting in Ukraine was inspired by fallen friend, carries Laser Kiwi flag". Stuff. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
10. Waiwiri-Smith, Lyric (10 November 2023). "Minnesota is looking for a new flag, and now they have a version of the Laser Kiwi". Stuff. Retrieved 24 November 2023.