“Hawke’s Bay is a key part of the Hurricanes region. We’ve played at McLean Park many times throughout our history and several of our players, past and present, have come out of Hawke’s Bay,” Philp said.

“To take this match against the Chiefs, a year after our Grand Final encounter, to Napier for the first time is as special for us as I’m sure it will be for our Hawke’s Bay fans, who we can’t wait to connect with in May.”

Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union chief executive Jay Campbell said securing a premier local derby represented a major coup for the community.

“The Hurricanes-Chiefs fixture is a blockbuster New Zealand derby, and we’re thrilled to have been able to agree terms with the Hurricanes to bring this match to Napier,” Campbell said.

“Hawke’s Bay is a rugby province, and the opportunity to see last season's finalists go head-to-head on McLean Park is something our community can really get excited about. We’re excited and ready to welcome both teams and their supporters to the Bay.”

The clash will be the club's 16th appearance at the venue since the inaugural 1996 season, but local civic leaders noted that domestic rivalries of this magnitude have been scarce in recent times.

Napier Mayor Richard McGrath said the city had not hosted an all-New Zealand Super Rugby encounter in more than a decade.