The official longlist of 40 designs for the alternative New Zealand flag has been decided.
The Flag Consideration Panel has released the designs this afternoon which will now undergo further investigation as part of the official design review process.
While there are 40 flags in the longlist, they were only submitted by 30 designers.
Chair Professor John Burrows says all members of the 12-strong independent panel viewed all of the 10,292 designs and appreciated the work that went into it.
It was vital the flags could be used in a number of different contexts, he says.
"It is important that those designs are timeless, can work in a variety of contexts, are simple, uncluttered, balanced and have good contrast."
The designs will be subject to further checks to include intensive intellectual property review to make sure there are no impediments for possibly choosing them for the shortlist of four to be announced in September.
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