"I definitely think it is time for a change so I hope people get behind and support whatever flag they like the most."
Rotorua Lakes councillor Tania Tapsell had also chosen Silver Fern (Red, White and Blue) by Kyle Lockwood.
"It is still my favourite one. I like that it's more representative of New Zealand but still keeps some of the history in there and the Southern Cross.
"I think it's a really good thing that we are having a discussion and people are able to have their say. I think it is worth talking about," she said.
Te Arawa kaumatua Monty Morrison said none of the four were his favourites from the long-list.
"Of the four that's there I like the silver fern on the black and white. It is familiar in design and says very much what we are and is still a contrast change from where we have come from, but still signals who we are."
Local artist Miriam Ruberl said she was not a fan of any of the designs.
"I don't actively like any of them."
She said the Koru by Andrew Fyfe was the worst deign.
"It's not just about the contour, but the proportion of black to white doesn't work for me. Imagine that hanging down the pole with no wind. I am not impressed at all."
She said Silver Fern (Black & White) by Alofi Kanter would be her choice.
"It has a nicer black to white ratio. I can see it is important to keep the link to the Commonwealth but just visually, I would go black and white."
She said she believes we should keep the flag we have.
Timeline for flag change
Feb 2015: Flag Consideration Panel appointed
June: Public forums held across the country
July 16: Deadline for flag submissions
August 10: Long list of flags revealed
November 20 to December 11: First referendum - public to choose a
preferred alternative design
March 3 to March 24 2016: Second referendum - public to choose between
current flag and preferred design.
