Figure 1.--This is the Sea Scout uniform as pictured in the 197? 'New Zealand Sea Scout Handbook'.

At present (2002), the uniform is as follows: White-topped seaman's cap with tally band, navy blue shirt (short sleeved), navy blue jersey, group scarf, navy blue shorts, official belt, black walk socks (knee highs), and black shoes. There are variations allowed such as white T shirts with blue neck and arm bands, and sandals in place of shoes and socks, and this is usual in some of the North Island troops, particularly in summer. A white lanyard is also optional wear. Badges used to be worn on uniforms as in most countries. However, since the changes to the land scout uniform in 2000, all badges were supposed to be removed from uniforms in all sections, and worn on optional activity dress only. This has met with a lot of resistance from most Sea Scout groups and badges are still generally being worn.

1970s Uniform

The New Zealand Sea Scout Handbook describes the details of the uniform for Scouts, Ventures, and Leaders worn in the 1970s:

The jersey is navy blue, with the Scout Badge on the left breast and the District Badge on the right. The Troop name flash in white letters on a black background is on the right shoulder. Other badges awarded are worn as shown in the accompanying illustration. During the months from 1st October to 30th April, Sea Scouts may wear a white T-pattern shirt with with half-inch-wide royal blue braid around the neck and sleeves, bearing the Scout Membership Badge only. A scarf of the Groups colours is worn, secured with a woggle--generally a white turks head (make it yourself). The scarf should be ironed flat, then neatly rolled to size. Navy blue shorts are worn, but lightweight white shorts may be worn with the summer white shirt. Black shoes and stockings are worn, the stockings being turned down below the knee. White shoes and sicks are worn with the summer uniform. Waterproofs, oilskins and windbreakers if worn shall be of navy blue or black and may be worn at the discretion of the Scout Leader. The Scout belt and lanyard are optional wear for Sea Scouts, but if worn, must be worn by all members of the Group. The lanyard is passed under the scasrf at the back of the neckwith the knot on top of the scarf in the front, the width of the hand below the woggle. The end is led to the belt and secured above the left hip.

Sea Scouts of Venture Scout age wear plain navy blue long trousers with the jersey and scarf described above or navy blue shirt over the approved T-shirt. Thery are also permitted to wear white shorts, socks, and tennis shoes with the white T-pattern shiort and Group scarf as summer uniform from 1stv October to 30th April. The cap tally for Venture Scouts is destinguished by the insertion of the Venture Scout emblembetween the words "Sea' and 'Scouts'. Lenyardsc are not worn with the summer uniform.

Sea Scout Leaders wear the uniform described as above or double breasted navy blue suit with plain buttons and black tie. Also the Scout Badge, Group name, and Scout Awards, First vClass Charge, Long Service Badge and Military Colours. The District bBadge is not wiorn. Theyv wear aeaked cap and the colour of the Arrow-head badge denotes their rank: red, A.S.L.; green, S.L. green and white, G.S.L.; purple, Sea Scout Commissiioners. [New Zealand Sea Scout Handbook]

2000s Uniform

At present (2002), the uniform is as follows: White-topped seaman's cap with tally band, navy blue shirt (short sleeved), navy blue jersey, group scarf, navy blue shorts, official belt, black walk socks (knee highs), and black shoes. There are variations allowed such as white T shirts with blue neck and arm bands, and sandals in place of shoes and socks, and this is usual in some of the North Island troops, particularly in summer. A white lanyard is also optional wear. Badges used to be worn on uniforms as in most countries. However, since the changes to the land scout uniform in 2000, all badges were supposed to be removed from uniforms in all sections, and worn on optional activity dress only. This has met with a lot of resistance from most Sea Scout groups and badges are still generally being worn.

Sources

New Zealaznd Sea Scout Handbook (1972?). A reader writes, "There are events listed in the book for 1971 I bought it new in 1974 as a teenager so the uniform is for that period of scouting I don't think it has changed much since I was a sea scout and used the book for reference."