The Prime Minister is adamant he wants a new national flag – and he's prepared to spend $25.7 million of taxpayers' dosh on two referendums during two years to get one.

Mount Maunganui artist Timo Rannali wholeheartedly agrees, and has leapt to his easel in support.

Patriot and artist, Timo Rannali, wants his new standard fluttering proudly from every flagpole in the country. Photo By Tracy Hardy.

When SunLive asked Timo to come up with a concept, he admitted a new flag had been on his mind and in his heart for some time.

Timo considers himself a patriot first – 'you have to love where you live” – and an artist second. And the proud Kiwi, with Finnish bloodlines, has tapped both aspects of his colourful persona to produce what he believes could be, and should be, the new New Zealand flag.

'Wouldn't it be great if a new flag was designed right here in Bay of Plenty,” he says. 'Mine is certainly a starting point for discussion.”

Timo thinks a national flag should tell a story, saying: 'You should touch it and feel that the flag tells the story of who we are, where we've come from and where we're headed.”

It's a symbol of unity – of a shared Maori and European society. 'It's a unity that should be jealously guarded,” he adds.

Timo's flag has three sections.

The blue is Ranginui (the Sky Father) and the stars indicate how Maori and European ancestors navigated their way here.

The red, blue and white acknowledges an English/European heritage and is an adaption of our existing flag.

Tino Rangatiratanga – the Maori flag – celebrates our earliest inhabitants and the nation's journey through the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Koru represents 'the unfolding of new life, continuity and hope”. 'It is a unifying thing and all very positive,” says Timo.

And the silver fern, the quasi-national emblem, is the stem of the country's backbone; the strength and the fronds represent the rich diversity of peoples. The arrow-like fern points lean skyward, signifying a nation's journey from strength-to-strength.

Timo says this is a very encouraging design and should keep everyone happy, adding: 'It's not too busy and is aesthetically pleasant.”

He says we are the closest thing to Utopia on the globe, and says: 'Our flag should fire us, make us stop and beat our chests with pride and gratitude.”

And holding his new flag Timo says: 'I believe we have something special here”.

A copy of Timo's flag has this week been sent to Tauranga MP Simon Bridge's office in Wellington.

The new Minister liked it and it's now sitting on the Prime Minister's desk.