Displaying the five alternative flags on top of Wellington's Town Hall is proving a hit with some locals, but others feel the timing was inappropriate.

The council hoisted the five options yesterday and the decision to do so is already influencing peoples opinion.

Antony Hurst is one of those who's changed his mind after seeing them flying.

"I thought I'd be a fan of the fern with the black and white..but now I'm thinking I like the ones with the Southern Cross on them, they feel to me that they're more all encompassing."

Robbie Quilter said the opportunity to see the flags flying helps her imagine them as if they were our official flag.

"Rather than a still shot in the paper, its much better to see them flying like that and I can imagine our Olympians standing there, I can imagine our country being represented in that way."

However, some people are criticising Wade-Brown for her decision to fly the five alternative flag options on the anniversary of Passchendaele.

Ted Lang, whose grandfather served in Word War 1, has labelled the move disgusting.

He said Celia Wade-Brown is welcome to support changing the flag, but making such a public statement on Passchendaele day is breathtakingly offensive.

He said 845 kiwis died under the current New Zealand flag at Passchendaele, not under these alternatives.

A council spokesperson says no disrespect was intended, and the day was chosen in consultation with various agencies, and depended on the availability of staff to hoist the flags.