Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, who led the tributes at the Sport New Zealand event on Thursday, praised Sir Eion’s "ebullient joie de vivre" as the couple’s family, friends and many of the country’s top sports administrators looked on.
Sir Eion and Lady Jan were a formidable team who had "followed up their philanthropy with the gift of time and effort", Dame Patsy said.
She thanked them "on behalf of all New Zealanders."
He had been instrumental in taking New Zealand sport and creation to a new level, Mr Allison said.
"I’ve always said, if you want something to happen, call 0800 EION."
Sport NZ chief executive Raelene Castle recalled the first time she met Sir Eion during a visit to Dunedin.
She had just started a new job and felt ill at ease, but his warmth dissolved that.
"You have an amazing ability to make the person sitting next to you feel very special."
Ms Castle announced that in recognition of his and Lady Jan’s contribution, Sport NZ’s lifetime achievement award would be named after them.
Video messages from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport Grant Robertson and Animation Research founder Sir Ian Taylor were played at the function.
Sir Eion (76), who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, said the function was overwhelming and "all a bit bloody embarrassing".
Everything he and Lady Jan had been praised for had been done as part of a collective effort, he made clear.
"If you get a good team, you can always do a lot."
He had found a sense of humour went a long way in keeping people working together effectively.
"If you get in difficult situations, humour can help break things down."
To applause, he said he "planned to be here for a long time".
"There are a few more jobs to be done."
