Jenkins added: "Yeah running for a panda is certainly something different. It's a very tough course but that will suit Javier. There are hills everywhere. I haven't been able to give too many tips because I haven't done any similar courses to this in New Zealand."
Gomez said he expected a "slow race" as he returned from the injury that kept him out of the Rio Olympic Games.
But it is likely the top triathlete will challenge the course record set by New Plymouth's Graham O'Grady last year in a time of 4h 7m 18s.
"The roads are quite hilly and rough so it won't be a fast bike. And it's pretty much all off-road for the run. But the time doesn't matter for me. I'm looking at the four-hour mark," he said.
Event director Shane Hooks said he would like to see the course record broken but added it may be difficult without having competition there to push the elite athlete.
"It really doesn't get any bigger than Gomez in this sport," he said. "It's like having Lionel Messi play in the local competition. I know that the competitors will love the idea that on the start line he is there right beside them even if that's the last time they see him because he'll be gone in the blink of an eye.
"I'd love to see a new record but it all depends on what Gomez turns up on the day and how he wants to run the race. Also the hardest part will be that there will be no one pushing him."
Gomez added: "It's a strange one because what usually makes the races difficult is the competition and the rivals. I'll just have a mental race with myself and see what time comes out."
Gomez will be staying in the Bay of Plenty for Christmas - celebrating in Mount Maunganui with Jenkins' family, with both athletes allowing themselves some time off over the festive period.
"We will do a bit of training but this time of year is more about celebrating," said Jenkins. "We can afford to have a break and it will be great to show Javier a Kiwi Christmas after spending the last two in Spain - it was freezing over there.
"We'll probably have a walk up the Mount in the morning and have champagne and fruit salad at the top and of course a barbecue at some point with time on the beach."
The pair, who met while on separate training camps in Wanaka just over two years ago, have both had a difficult 2016 - Jenkins falling on her hip and struggling with it ever since.
Gomez had to pull out of the Rio Olympics as favourite a month before after he suffered in a minor bike crash in Spain.
"I sort of put my season to one side to just help Javier for the Olympics," said Jenkins. "So in the end we were both just sitting around doing nothing for a while. We had a bad year. We just went on holiday in the end. It was definitely needed to refresh and forget about sport for a bit."
Gomez added: "It was difficult not going. That was the main goal of this year and mentally it was quite tough but it's part of the sport sometimes. Things like that happen. Sometimes you are unlucky and you just have to deal with it."
"But I'm really excited about 2017 after having such a big break because of injuries. I'm focused on the World Triathlon Series and I also want to do a few half Ironman races and hopefully the World Championships over that distance.
"After this year I'll see what's next. I don't want to set really long-term goals, I look at it year by year."
2016 Rotorua Half Ironman:
Start/ Finish: Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Start times: Early swim: 5:45am / plus competitors: 6:30am / men: 06.25am / women and teams: 06:30am.
Half distance: 2km swim, 90km bike, 21km run
Quarter distance: 1km swim, 45km bike, 10km run
Participants: 800 / 50 locals
Course record (half): Graham O'Grady - 2015 (New Plymouth): 4h 7m 18s.
