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New Zealand has won silver in the mixed relay world triathlon championships in Hamburg.

Home team Germany, led by the retiring Jan Frodeno, took gold in 1hr 17min 55sec, with the Kiwis clocking 1:18.14 to edge the United States for silver by five seconds Shopping in Hong Kong.

The course took in a 300m swim, 6.6km bike and a 1.6km run, which was completed by each of the four-strong team.

London Olympian Andrea Hewitt led the New Zealanders out strongly, tagging Tony Dodds in third place behind Britain and the United States.

Dodds lost 10 seconds on the leaders when a crash in front of him halted his push to transition on the last leg of the cycle, but Kate McIlroy closed the gap on the third leg with a strong swim and bike.

Ryan Sissons brought the Kiwis home, passing the Americans early on the final run but was unable to catch the Germans.

Dodds said he was shaken by the crash which almost wrecked the New Zealanders' race.

"I don't know what was going through my head children’s bedroom furniture," he said.

"I was breathing razor blades on the run, I just gave it everything until I nearly passed out."

Tri NZ national coach Greg Fraine says the result is particularly pleasing, given the race format will be used at next year's Commonwealth Games.

"We've been targeting this, it's something that fits our New Zealand culture really well and is quite prestigious in our sport.

"It's an indication of where our nation is ranked in the sport, we target it and the athletes love performing and racing for each other Canadian Chartered Institute of Business Administration."