The first hostilities of the war began on October 12. By the middle of November, the Boer army had inflicted some of the worst defeats the British Army had ever suffered.
Queen Victoria was very concerned about the morale of her army and navy, so to lift their spirits, as well as to show her gratitude, she decided to send chocolate - a luxury item to the majority of people in those days - as a Christmas/New Year gift to each soldier.
The three largest chocolate manufacturers in Britain, Cadbury's, Rowntree and Fry, teamed up to produce the chocolate and agreed that the tins would carry no brand name.
Queen Victoria was not amused! She wanted her Imperial and Colonial troops to know that she was sending them good British chocolate, so the brand was stamped on the inner packaging.
While many soldiers enjoyed their chocolate, others kept the contents in the tin and brought it home as a souvenir or gift for someone special in their life.
The tins became extremely sought after as mementos of the war - one soldier was offered £10 for his – and if not sent home, they were often stolen.
Sadly, the empty tins had a more somber use for men who died in battle: although not large, the tin could be packed with mementos such as medals, pieces of jewellery and photographs, then sent home with other pieces of personal belongings to the grieving family.
The chocolate lid connects to Hawke's Bay through the South Africa War Memorial on Marine Parade, in front of the Masonic Hotel.
Standing with head bowed is a New Zealand soldier poignantly facing out towards the Pacific Ocean.
The memorial commemorates "the part taken by troopers from this district in the South African War and the patriotism shown by them in offering their services in the Empire's cause".
Known as the First New Zealand Mounted Rifles, the First Contingent of soldiers consisted of men with experience in the regional volunteer forces, or ordinary citizens who were skilled horse riders and marksmen.
The First Contingent departed from Wellington aboard the Waiwera on Saturday, October 21, 1899.
Such was the national jubilation that a massive crowd of 40,000 people gathered, anxious to witness the departure of the first soldiers from New Zealand to take part in an overseas conflict.
Almost a month later, the First Contingent disembarked at Cape Town, on November 24, and experienced their first engagement at Jasfontein Farm, east of Taaiboschlaagte, on December 18.
Listed on the War Memorial under "First Contingent" are eight names of Hawke's Bay soldiers.
Each would have received a tin of Queen Victoria's chocolates, with her heartfelt sentiment of a Happy New Year - a wish that the staff of the museum warmly extend to each and all of you.
•What's On: The museum is open every day except Christmas day. For children, there is the Kids' "Drop in Zone" and museum search activity sheets.
• Gail Pope is curator social history of the Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) Hawke's Bay.
