For the history of Scouting in New Zealand generally, from 1908 see Scouting in New Zealand. In 1923, The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom formed a branch in New Zealand and set about re-organising scouting according to its Policy, Organisation and Rules and establishing its Wolf Cubs and Rover programs. The Boy Scouts Association's New Zealand branch was incorporated in 1941 as The Boy Scouts Association, Incorporated which changed its name to The Boy Scouts Association of New Zealand in 1956 and then to The Scout Association of New Zealand in 1967. Until 1953 the New Zealand branch was represented internationally through The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom. In 1953, the New Zealand branch became a direct member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. In 1963, the Venturer Scout section was introduced. In 1976, the first females became members of the Venturer section, on a trial basis. In 1979, females were formally admitted and the Venturer section became co-ed. In 1987, girls were formally admitted into the Scout section. This was followed by girls being admitted into the Kea and Cub programs in 1989. In 1979, Mr. Arthur W.V. Reeve was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting.
On 24 July 2017, the Scout Promise and Kea Promise changed. On my honour, I promise to do my best, To develop my spiritual beliefs, To contribute to my community,country and world, To help other people, And to live by the Scout Law. This Promise is now to be used by all youth and adult members except youth members of the Kea section. The previous Kea Motto is now the new Kea Promise: I share, I care, I discover, I grow.
All section programs are coeducational. The Scout Association of New Zealand has similar program sections as The Scout Association in the United Kingdom, although the names are slightly different: Beavers are called Keas, Venturers in place of Explorers, and Rovers in place of the Scout Network. Scout groups focus on a variety of outdoor activities. In addition to regular Land Scout Groups, some groups are Air Scouts and some are Sea Scouts offering either specialised aviation or water activities.
There have been 13 National Ventures in New Zealand. The first New Zealand venture was held in Hastings. The 11th New Zealand Venture was held at Brookfield near Wellington from 1 to 11January 2010, with Venture South 2013 being held at Riverton, Southland from 5 to 14 January 2013. The 13th National Venture was held in and around Rotorua in January, 2016. Venture is held for Venturers approximately every three years.
Moot
As of 2018, there have been 76 National Rover Moots in New Zealand. Moots are normally held locally and nationally once a year which are organised and run by Rovers. The 77th National Rover Moot is being held at Brookfield in Wellington over Easter weekend 2019.
Scouts New Zealand elsewhere
Non-sovereign territories with Scouting run by Scouts New Zealand include
