Members of the Irish squad were given a traditional Maori challenge and speeches of welcome from Ngai Tahu kaumatua Sir Tipene O'Regan and Michael Skerrett at the reception hosted by Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden, in the Skyline complex.
More than a dozen community figures, about 15 representatives of Southern runanga, 60 residents selected by ballot and 20 media delegates attended.
Gifts were exchanged between the parties. Rugby New Zealand 2011 director Paul Collins and former International Rugby Board chairman Dr Syd Millar awarded caps to the Irish players and support team members.
While expectations of an All Blacks triumph in the tournament was voiced with good humour, the visitors were resoundingly encouraged to "deal to the Australians" on September 17.
Ms van Uden said Lakes district residents tended to put a high premium on lifestyle.
"Not only do we know just what a privilege it is to live here, the fact is we like it so much that we get great pleasure sharing with new visitors, so I can promise you every word of welcome you get around here is absolutely genuine."
Captain Brian O'Driscoll said he and the lads had been having a wonderful time in the resort and he thanked the mayor and community. He gestured towards the sun setting on the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu and said Queenstown was "an incredible part of the world".
O'Driscoll said many in the team had heard about the "adventure capital of the world" through travelling friends before arriving on Friday. The players had already experienced rides on a jet-boat and the luge, and had a heli-tour and bungy jumps and he was looking forward to how the entertainment committee was going to top those activities, he said.
Mr Collins praised Queenstown's training facilities as "fantastic" and "world-class". He assured community members they would be seeing many more Irish visiting the Wakatipu in the future, thanks to Irish media reports and the players tweeting their experiences back home.
"'God's country' is a much-used phrase, but there's no doubt God must have visited this place because this is a stunning location," he said.
