On Monday afternoon the Flag Consideration Panel released a "long list" of 40 designs, chosen from more than 10,000 options submitted by the public.

The list is dominated by designs prominently featuring ferns, koru and stars. It does not include some of the more humorous designs, such as the kiwi farting a rainbow or flags referencing blowing on pies.

Chairman John Burrows said he and his colleagues had investigated every submission, but the 40 selected designs had been chosen unanimously.

"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," Burrows said in a statement.

"The panel has made its preliminary selection of flag designs that it believes 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."

The chosen 40 will now be subject to further scrutiny, including whether any breach intellectual property law.