Nail polish and false eyelashes allowed for all sailors in New Zealand’s navy

THE New Zealand Defence Force is to allow male navy recruits to wear fake eyelashes and nail polish under gender neutral grooming rules.

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) will soon be applying a uniform set of appearance guidelines that mean male personnel will be permitted to wear make-up if they wish, its chief confirmed told Newshub on Friday.

“These updates are to reflect that the RNZN make no distinction between male and female members in terms of their personal grooming and appearance,” said Rear Adm David Proctor.

He added that the navy’s grooming standards had always been based on neatness, cleanliness, safety and military image and would continue to be.

The existing regulations permit female navy personnel to wear discreet make-up, clear or pale nail varnish when in uniform, inconspicuous false eyelashes and one pair of “natural coloured” stud or sleeper earrings. As of

Nov 1, all navy personnel may do the same, if they wish to do so.

Last month, it was reported that British Army chiefs were considering a similar rule change in their own grooming guidelines.

In 2016, the US navy and marine corps announced they would be dropping “man” from some of their job titles to make them gender neutral. The New Zealand navy’s rules will continue to ban body piercings, “exaggerated hairstyles” such as mohawks and particular hair accessories.

“We are a military organisation and with that comes certain expectations on our personnel in terms of dress and appearance,” said Adm Proctor.