The 28-year-old is at the beginning of her season after taking a break following September's ITU world championship series race in Japan, but there is clear incentive behind her decision to participate.
"We'll be here to race because it's here in Auckland, because it's in our home country and because it's good for our supporters,'' she said.
"I had a break because I wanted to finish my season and get fresh again. This is the start of my 2012 really. I'm getting fit again and building back into it.''
While the race around Auckland's CBD has not attracted a particularly star-studded line-up, due to it being at the end of many triathletes' seasons, almost all New Zealand's top triathletes have opted to bring their talents to their home country.
"It's important for us to race here because it's in front of your sponsors and your supporters, who support you through the year,'' Samuels said. "So you need to give them back something. And if it's just racing in your home town, then you've got to do it.''
The setting for her "home'' race is a far cry from Samuels' base in Wanaka - swimming off Queens Wharf and cycling and running up and down Queen Street. She called the course different for triathlon, which is often set on the outskirts on cities, but said it was another big drawcard.
"To be able to swim in here with beautiful blue water, it's in our biggest city, so it showcases New Zealand and how nice it is.''
The race around Auckland city is Samuels' first event in what promises to be a defining season. She has competed for her country on the ITU World Cup circuit since 2007, but has yet to wear the silver fern at an Olympics or Commonwealth Games.
With the London Olympics looming next winter, qualification remains the key word for Samuels and her triathlon cohort.
"I think it's always in the back of our minds because we haven't qualified yet,'' she said. "Andrea's [Hewitt] the only one that's safe. So for the guys and the girls that's the case.''
Compatriot and world No 2 Hewitt qualified with a top-10 finish in a London course rehearsal event in August, and is the clear favourite from the women's field this weekend. She's coming off back-to-back wins in world championship races in Beijing and Yokohama, but said the opportunity to race in Auckland was one she couldn't turn down.
"I've tried to continue my training and keep fit because I really wanted to race in Auckland, so I wanted to keep going. And I'm having a holiday afterwards.
"It's great to be racing finally in New Zealand. I haven't done a lot of races here, especially a World Cup.''
For Samuels, who is ranked 29th in the world, the next opportunity to punch her ticket to London comes at the ITU world championship event in Sydney in April, giving her five months preparation time commencing on Sunday.
