The Flag Consideration Panel have revealed the final 40 designs selected for further investigation as part of the official design review process.

Flag Consideration Panel chair, Professor John Burrows, says the panel's been guided that: 'A potential new flag should unmistakably be from New Zealand and celebrate us as a progressive, inclusive nation that is connected to its environment, and has a sense of its past and vision for its future.”

The 40 designs as chosen by The Flag Consideration Panel. Photo: Supplied.

The panel selected the final 40 from 10,292 designs suggested.

They believe the preliminary selection of designs best represent the range of suggestions it has received.

'It is important that those designs are timeless, can work in a variety of contexts, are simple, uncluttered, balanced and have good contrast,” adds Professor Burrows.

'We would like to thank everyone for their design suggestions and we've been impressed with the very high standard.

'The Panel made a unanimous decision and selected flag designs we believe best reflect New Zealand's identity, as shared with us in the values and themes that New Zealanders expressed throughout this process.”

The designs will be subject to further robust checks and verification, including intensive intellectual property review, to ensure designs are workable and that there are no impediments for them moving forward.

Under its terms of reference, it is now the panel's responsibility to determine the final four alternative flag designs.

'As you will appreciate, the panel must remain neutral and unbiased,” explains Professor Burrows.

'We will be taking into account a number of factors including design, practicality and technical considerations and will announce the four alternatives by mid-September.”

Eligible voters will then rank these four alternatives in the first referendum later this year.

The long list of potential designs can be viewed at: www.flag.govt.nz