Fiji's Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has decided to extend public consultations on a new national flag to December 31, 2015.
A statement issued from his office confirmed that more flag designs would be added to the 23 that were released on June 9.
"While we had originally set a deadline of Tuesday 30 June for the first phase of the flag selection process to be completed, the Government has decided to extend the period of consultation," he said.
"More choices are going to be offered over the next few weeks and months. And the closing date for design consultations will now be 31 December 2015. Cabinet and then Parliament will consider the new flag design when it convenes in 2016."
PM Bainimarama said by extending the deadline, there was ample opportunity for Fijians of all ages and backgrounds to further contribute and consider what symbols most appropriately represented our nation.
He said he was delighted by the high level of engagement from the Fijian people about a new national flag.
"After a relatively slow start, the national debate on the new designs for the new flag is now in full swing," he said.
Bainimarama said Government was getting an unprecedented number of responses via the national flag website through email correspondence and talkback radio.
"The response these teams have been receiving from the Fijian people has been very positive," he said.
And the Government recognises that they want more time to consider what form the new flag should take and are seeking more choices than are being offered by the existing 23 designs," he said.
The Fijian PM said his Government would soon be announcing the precise details of the revised timetable for consultations.
"And I appeal to all Fijians who have yet to do so to become involved in the process in a spirit of cooperation, collaboration, goodwill and nationhood.
"I appeal to every Fijian to join our quest for a flag that represents who we are today, rather than our past, and that we can fly proudly into the future as we fulfil our vision to become a modern nation state."
The Fiji Times on Saturday ran the result of its Tebutt Times Poll where 87 per cent of those interviewed preferred that Fijians be given a chance to vote on a new flag. At least 83 per cent wanted the Coat of Arms retained on the new flag and at least 57 per cent preferred that the current flag remain.