The volunteer corps provided men to the New Zealand contingents sent to South Africa during the Second Boer War and in 1911 became the 7th (Wellington West Coast) Regiment.

The difference in formation date lead to arguments about seniority and in attempt the to partially resolve the issue the numerical designations were removed.

The longest continuously serving corps was the Royal Rangitikei Rifle Volunteers, which was formed in 1865 and would ultimately become part of the future 7th Regiment.

[2] Men from Wellington West Coast Battalion served in South Africa during the Second Boer War as part of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Contingents.

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

The Wellington West Coast Regiment was reduced to a depot and supplied a single rifle company to the 2nd Composite Battalion.

[10] During the Second World War, the Wellington West Coast Regiment remained in New Zealand for home defence.

The 1st Battalion became part of 2nd Infantry Brigade, 4th Division, and was expected to provide a mobile response to any invasion throughout the country.

[12] Men from the regiment saw active service overseas with the 19th, 22nd, 25th and 36th battalions of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

[13][14][15] These battalions formed part of the 2nd New Zealand Division and saw action in Greece, Crete, North Africa, Tunisia and Italy.