Triathlon Hawke's Bay general manager Mike Bond said the organisation was delighted to have the backing of Napier Port and other sponsors.
He added that they had full support from Triathlon New Zealand for an event across "postcard scenery".
The event will be known as the Napier Port Harbour to Hills Triathlon and is scheduled to be staged on April 2.
"I see it being on everyone's 'to do' list," Mr Bond said.
Port services manager Bruce Lochhead said the event slotted in perfectly with what Napier Port wanted to provide on the community and sporting front.
"We are right behind the Napier Port Harbour to Hills as [it is] part of our drive to promote a strong, healthy community in Hawke's Bay."
He described the course as "demanding" and he encouraged people seeking a sporting challenge to lace up their trainers and take it on.
"We know it will be a great addition to the summer events calender and we expect it will bring a wave of athletes and supporters into the Bay."
Despite having a cap of 500 competitors, he expected the entry list to fill quickly.
The middle distance triathlon adds additional icing on the sporting cake for the Bay, Napier City Council events manager Kevin Murphy said.
It will be staged just less than three months after the big Summer Cycling Festival based in Napier.
He paid tribute to the determination and professionalism of Tri HB in getting the event on the national calender.
"The course is very different and will be very spectator-friendly - and from the council point of view, it is just great to see another event lining up which has the potential to bring a lot of people here."
Mr Murphy said the council's involvement would be in marketing support.
He said Tri HB was arguably the highest-profile triathlon club in the country and had gained a solid reputation for not only hosting events but for producing top-end competitors.
"So they have earned this - it is great news for the region."