The student to make first contact with the mystery "China Face", get that person's name and a code word and submit that information to Hastings District Council wins a two-week trip to China.
The challenge will be open to all year 9 and 13 students attending secondary school in the Hastings District.
The first three clues go out on Friday.
The motivation behind the competition, the brainchild of Hastings councillor Kevin Watkins, is to spark teenagers' interest in China and its people.
All the clues have a geographical, historical or social angle, which means the competitors will learn a lot about China as they progress, he said.
All they would have is a photo and a recording of their voice.
While the size of the hunt makes this a world first, Mr Watkins has run the same kind of competitions previously, in 2008 and 2006.
One of the previous faces, Chen Yanyan, sent a message last week from her home town, encouraging students to get involved.
She and boyfriend Gan Dan were the couple being searched for in 2008.
"We were the 'Faces' in the 2008 Ultimate Challenge, we wish all the students good luck to try and win the competition. We are waiting for your good news," she said.
As well as sending a student on an accompanied trip to China, the competition will again see the "face" brought out to Hawke's Bay.
Chinese media in New Zealand and China had expressed interest in covering the two trips.
