New Zealand gov't panel unveils list of possible new national flag

A government-appointed panel charged with deciding a potential new flag for New Zealand unveiled a long list of 40 designs Monday.

Every member of the Flag Consideration Panel had viewed every one of the 10,292 designs submitted by the public, said panel chair John Burrows.

"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," Burrows.

"In reviewing alternatives, we were 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 panel had looked for designs that could work in a variety of contexts and were timeless, simple, uncluttered, balanced and had good contrast.

The designs would be subject to further robust checks and verification, including intensive intellectual property review, to ensure there were no impediments for them moving forward in the process.

The panel would decide a short list of four designs by mid- September.

Many of the 40 designs are variations of a New Zealand fern leaf or a koru (a stylized Maori fern design), and the four stars that embellish the current flag and represent the Southern Cross constellation are also a common feature.

The public will decide the country's flag in two referenda: the first later this year to choose the most preferred one from the short list; and the second to choose between that design and the country's current flag.

Critics of the present flag, including Prime Minister John Key, say it is too similar to the Australian flag and that it is a hangover from the country's colonial past with the British Union Jack in its top left corner.

However, public meetings on the subject have highlighted a lack of enthusiasm for change, with few people turning out.

The entire project is expected to cost over 25 million NZ dollars (16.45 million U.S. dollars).

Political opponents have described it as a waste of money and a "vanity project" of the prime minister. Endi