By Saul Cooke-Black

AN ARTIST from Stroud is aiming to make history by becoming the designer of the new national flag for New Zealand.

Clay Sinclair's striking design is one of 40 to have been shortlisted from nearly 10,300 entries that were submitted to a government website.

"I am delighted to have one of my designs being considered," said Mr Sinclair who moved from New Zealand around 20 years ago.

"I have always been obsessed about flags since I was a child and so when the opportunity came to be involved in this process it rather took over my life."

The possibility of replacing the current New Zealand flag has been debated for many years with Mr Sinclair taking a keen interest in the issue.

However, it was just hours before the deadline for submission that he finalised his design.

"Originally all of my variations included black and white flags," he said.

"But then I had an email about four hours before the deadline for submission from somebody who had seen my design on the website.

"They suggested I add some colour and that is where the green came from.

"It was totally last minute."

An independent panel of 16 will now whittle down the current list to four designs, which will then be put before a public vote in November or December.

The winning design will go up against the current New Zealand flag in the first referendum of its kind, to be held in March 2016.

"There is still a long way to go and there are some fantastic flags in contention," said Mr Sinclair.

"But it is hard not to get excited."

The current New Zealand flag comprises of the Union Jack and the Southern Cross constellation which is similar to Australia's.

It was designed and adopted for use on colonial ships in 1869 and became the official national flag in 1902.