Frizzell praises 'jaunty' notes

NZ artist Dick Frizzell is a fan of the new banknote design. Photo / Norrie Montgomery, Supplied

There has been a mixed reaction to the bolder and brighter design of the new notes.

New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell had only positive things to say about the redesign, and described the new notes as "jaunty".

"They're pretty jaunty, I quite like them. No banknotes look like money anymore, I think they're a scream.

"I like the way the different images are scattered, there are a lot of elements going on."

Mr Frizzell said he did not find the look of the new notes too shocking, as the designers seemed to have kept to the same general design used on most banknotes.

However, professional member of the Designers Institute David Craggs said the design of the new note made the currency look like "toy money".

"The first thing I thought in terms of a design point of view was there was way to much going on. A good design balances things out so you have got a focal point that draws your eye."

He said overall it was hard to take the new design seriously.