"Kim", claiming to be from the New Zealand Rugby Union, called Arrowtown School sports co-ordinator Paul Winders wanting to do some "PR" with the school pupils and several All Blacks.
Excitement mounted as Mr Winders rang 30 children's parents to collect names the woman wanted for printed T-shirts.
Also promised were All Black match tickets.
The woman even rang again for the confirmed list.
"She was very adamant to our office staff they [the children] had to be there to get their shirts and tickets. If they weren't there they would let the school down.
"I thought it was very exciting; so did the kids.
"There was nothing really to ring any alarm bell. Often we get All Blacks in our area . . . there are quite a few injured and not on tour."
But when the children arrived and lined up last Sunday they waited in vain.
"The kids were all a bit confused. They were in the dark about it . . . Every tourist bus that came along the road, they asked if that was them."
Mr Winders later contacted the rugby union, which knew "nothing" about any PR tour.
"It's the motive behind it [the hoax], I just can't understand it. What's to gain?"
On Thursday, Otago Rugby Football Union marketing manager Doug McSweeney saw the children's plight on One News on television, and shortly before lunch yesterday national rugby mascot Rugger was on the scene to hand out Highlanders posters, bags and bandanas.
"There were a few tears over what happened," Mr McSweeney said.
"We thought it would be really great to get out to the school and do something for the kids, because they were pretty down."
Each hoaxed child was also given a free pass to next Easter's match at the Queenstown Events Centre between the Highlanders and the Western Force. Tom Rance (9) said the surprise visit helped make up for last Sunday's disappointment.
He was most disappointed not to be given ticket for an All Blacks game - but the Super 14 tickets helped ease the pain.
