Last Updated Nov 14th, 2019 at 3:51 pm

The New Zealand Defence Force has released new gender-neutral grooming and appearance standards for members of the Royal New Zealand Navy. The new guidance outlines requirements for cosmetics, body art, hairstyles, and other grooming standards without separating the standards by gender.

Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor described the changes:

Without respect to gender, members will be allowed to “wear discreet makeup and perfume/cologne in moderation. Personnel may wear a clear or pale nail varnish whilst in uniform. False eye lashes may [also] be worn provided that they are trimmed, neat and natural in appearance.”

Proctor praised the changes, saying that such inclusion is “critical to our success.”