The All Blacks got their Rugby World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 41-10, six tries to one victory over Tonga after stunning opening ceremonies on Auckland's waterfront and at Eden Park.
But the occasion was marred by major problems on the city's public transport networks that stopped many fans getting to the stadium in time for kickoff.
Police reported badly behaved revellers and urged people to avoid returning to the city centre after the match unless they had to.
And six pedestrians were injured, two seriously, after being hit by a bus that collided with a car in the city centre.
The festivities began in warm sunshine and good spirits with an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 converging on Auckland's waterfront.
The official celebration began with a fleet of 20 waka paddled by 600 men who performed a rousing haka after reaching the Viaduct Harbour.
The group then moved down Quay St, the huge crowd parting to let them pass.
On Queens Wharf, Auckland Mayor Len Brown took to the stage early in the proceedings to yell: "The world is in the house! Oh yeah.''
The All Blacks were aware of the party atmosphere, with Piri Weepu tweeting: "Who's down the viaduct? Man, it sounds like its going off! Can see heaps of peeps down there!''
Music from Dave Dobbyn and the Finn Brothers preceded what was billed as the biggest fireworks display in New Zealand, with 3.5 tonnes set off from four barges in the harbour.
The opening ceremony at Eden Park featured hundreds of dancers and musicians _ and Jonah Lomu. TV viewers around the word saw footage of fireworks exploding above the Auckland skyline and cranes at the city's container port performing a choreographed routine.
Outside Eden Park, Shannon Davis, who has just arrived home to New Zealand from Sydney, said he was "totally blown away'' by how the country has embraced the tournament.
"We've been to the State of Origin, we've been to some big Bledisloe Cup games and I've seen a few crowds in my time but my goodness, not as big as this, mate.
"I mean just look at it _ there are people in Aussie jerseys, Irish jerseys, South African jerseys just embracing the whole thing and that's what it's all about really.
"I hope as a nation we grow from this and, from what I can see, I really think we will.''
And inside the ground, fan Paul Roberts said the atmosphere was "euphoric, amazing ... Mexican waves. What an event, the All Blacks are the greatest.''
All Blacks captain Ritchie McCaw was less enthusiastic saying his side was "overkeen'' at times.
And coach Graham Henry gave his side a five out of 10 pass mark.
"It wasn't a great game of football but we had a win and got a bonus point. We worked very hard on defence and had a lot of opportunities to score so we have a lot to work on.''
In Wellington, hundreds gathered at the Rugby World Cup fanzone by the waterfront, where live music performances kicked off proceedings ahead of the big screen broadcast of the opening ceremony.
Wellington City councillor John Morrison was among punters waiting for the entertainment to begin.
He said Wellington was a great place to be for the tournament and it was "all starting to heat up''.
"I think we're as well-placed, probably better placed than anyone else in the country, to have a really good time over the World Cup.
"You can feel the atmosphere around town and there's a lot of excitement and tension.''
After a slow start, the Christchurch fanzone started to fill up with excited fans.
The area in North Hagley Park, close to the devastated CBD, opened at 9am but supporters seemed to wait for sundown before making their way there.
Despite the slow start, Christchurch City Council marketing manager Richard Stokes was upbeat.
"We feel a bit left out down here in Christchurch, but we're not going to let it get to us,'' he said.
"We've got a lot of fun things planned here. I just urge Cantabs to come on down and join in with the party.''
Michael Cooke, a 36-year-old teacher at Lincoln University, hoped Christchurch would embrace RWC fever.
"It's sad we have no games here in Christchurch. I had tickets and was really looking forward to it. You see the rest of the country really embracing it and you get the feeling you're missing out.
"But you've got to get into the spirit of the World Cup. I've sent a mass text urging my mates to come down. It's a much a better atmosphere down here amongst the people than being stuck watching it in your house.''