Deputy Prime Minister Bill English has announced the panel of 12 who will be responsible for deciding what New Zealand's next flag will be.

A knighted All Black, an Olympian and a leading military figure are among the prominent New Zealanders who will help the public decide on a new flag.



Deputy Prime Minister Bill English has announced the panel of 12 who will be responsible for public consultation on the design of a new ensign, and shortlist the designs to be voted on by referendum this year.

The panel will be chaired by former deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Canterbury, Emeritus Professor John Burrows.

Burrows was previously the co-chair of the Government's constitutional advisory panel.

Writer and reviewer Kate de Goldi of Wellington will be the deputy chair of the flag consideration panel.



Also serving will be former All Black Sir Brian Lochore, three-time Olympian and former world champion discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina and retired Defence Force chief, Lieutenant-General Rhys Jones.

The panel will oversee the public engagement process, to begin in May. The first of two referendums is expected to be held this year, when New Zealanders will be able to rank the chosen designs in order of preference.

The winning design will run off against the present New Zealand flag in a second, binding referendum to be held next year using the first-past-the-post voting system.

A New Zealand Flags Referendums Bill containing these measures will be introduced to Parliament shortly.

"Many New Zealanders were considered for the panel following nominations by a cross-party group of MPs," English said.



"I am pleased with the panel's independence, calibre and experience, and each member has committed to undertake the flag consideration process carefully, respectfully and with no presumption in favour of change."

English said the process would be a "rare privilege" for New Zealanders, to have a say on "one of the most important symbols of our nation".



"I hope New Zealanders will take the opportunity to listen and talk to each other and consider the design suggestions that come forward before making their minds up and taking part in the referendums."

The other panel members are:

Nicky Bell – chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand and a board director, Auckland

Peter Chin, CNZM – former mayor of dunedin, director and trustee, Dunedin

Julie Christie, ONZM – director of Julie Christie Inc. and board member, Auckland

Rod Drury – chief executive of Xero and technology entrepreneur, Havelock North

Stephen Jones – Invercargill youth councillor, Invercargill

Malcolm Mulholland – academic and flag historian, Palmerston North

Hana O'Regan – academic, Māori studies and te reo Māori, Christchurch