[5] The Napier Rifles became part of the Wellington Battalion of Infantry volunteers in 1895, but were transferred to the newly formed 3rd Battalion Wellington (East Coast) Rifle Volunteers in 1898, which brought together multiple corps from the Hawke's Bay region.

[6][Note 1] During the Second Boer War (1899-1902), the New Zealand Government sent a number of mounted rifles contingents to fight in South Africa.

[10] The next year, the 3rd Battalion (Wellington East Coast) amalgamated with the 5th Battalion (Centre or Ruahine) and became an independent regiment titled the 9th Regiment (Wellington East Coast Rifles), although the word "rifles" was dropped from the title in 1913.

[11] At the outbreak of war in August 1914, the decision was made to form a New Zealand infantry brigade of four battalions from the existing territorial regiments.

[14] The Hawke's Bay Regiment remained in New Zealand for home defence during the Second World War and raised a 2nd Battalion in November 1940.

[19][20][21] These battalions were part of the 2nd New Zealand Division and saw action in Greece, Crete, North Africa, Tunisia and Italy.

[22] The Hawke's Bay Regiment was also affiliated with the 36th Battalion of the 3rd New Zealand Division,[23] which saw combat at the Treasury Islands.

[24] Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was appointed as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Hawke's Bay Regiment in 1953.