The seven-tonne, 2009 Isuzu four-wheel-drive rural fire appliance worth $130,000 was manufactured in Japan and Australia and delivered by its Australian builders two weeks ago.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council provided one-third of the funding and the National Rural Fire Authority paid the balance.
Mayor Clive Geddes handed over the keys yesterday and in a short speech, told the community even though it was small, the fire engine was highly valued.
Makarora has a permanent population of 80-100 people.
Members of the isolated community were frequently called on to help people in trouble on the roads and in the mountains, and having good gear was an important factor in attracting and retaining volunteers, Mr Geddes said.
The council would turn its attention to a "garage" once a similar facility was completed at Kingston, he said.
Makarora Rural Fire Party chief Chris Wilson said the fire engine had been a "long time coming" but was a welcome addition to the community's resources.
"It will make our lives so much easier when we are out there amongst it," Mr Wilson said.
The Makarora volunteer fire crew receives about 25-30 emergency calls a year, with the majority from road accidents on State Highway 6 or the Haast Pass.
There were not so many fires, but when they did occur, they tended to spread over large areas of land, Mr Wilson said.
About 10 years ago, the fire crew began fundraising for a first-response trailer, containing a variety of emergency and first aid equipment that volunteers use at the scene of car accidents to help patients until the St John ambulance can arrive from either Wanaka or Haast.
Several years ago, the community acquired a 1979 Jeep, which has been used as a rescue vehicle.
Getting the fire engine was a major step up, Mr Wilson said.
"For us, it's perfect."
The district now has three rural fire appliances. The others are at Kingston and Glenorchy.
