New Zealand's top new flag possibilities have come from designers across the world.  

A list of 40 possible new flag designs were unveiled last night and the new designs include two from a Brit and five from a Wellingtonian.  

Most designs feature a koru, the silver fern or the Southern Cross star formation.

Digital designer Mike Archer, who lives on the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel, is the Brit who had two of his designs picked. Mr Archer has been to New Zealand three times, including a six month stint travelling around both islands. He loves this country and is over the moon his designs have made the list.

"If this had been for anyone else I probably wouldn't have got involved, but I just felt a strong connection with New Zealand," he explained.

He adds he's fully aware of how New Zealanders might feel about a national flag being designed by a Brit who lives halfway across the world.

"It's obviously very sensitive and I wanted to be very respectful with my design and I hope that's come across ... I just want the best for the country, really."

Mr Archer hopes to emigrate to New Zealand one day.

The Wellingtonian who had five flags make the cut worked on his submission over a glass of wine in the evenings. Designworks CEO Sven Baker submitted more than 100 designs because he "wanted to explore every option". He's delighted at the possibility that one of his flags could eventually be the chosen one.

"It would be an absolute honour, but for me it's not about that, it's not about mine been selected. It's about everyone galvanising around a new expression for a flag."

The Prime Minister has weighed in on the debate again, this time naming his clear favourite.  

"I like the one that's red and blue with the fern in it and the southern cross - the Kyle Lockwood design."

The chosen 40 flags will now undergo robust checks, including intellectual property reviews, before being narrowed down to just four in September.

The final four designs that will run off against the current flag.