| The Triple Crown champions were superbly led by Leinster's Brian O'Driscoll, while Munster duo of lock Paul O'Connell and No.8 Denis Leamy also impressed greatly at the Waikato Stadium.
The All Blacks got off to a flying start when winger Doug Howlett went in the opening minute but the visitors responded well with O'Driscoll scything through the New Zealand defence a few minutes later.
Munster flyhalf Ronan O'Gara scored the first of his 13 points with a conversion and a penalty soon afterwards to put his side in control at 10-5.
New Zealand flyhalf Luke McAlister, who finished with 19 points, reduced the arrears soon after but two further penalties from Ireland's No.10 them go into the break with an eight point advantage.
Mils Muliaina rounded off a superb move after the re-start to notch his side's second try but Ireland responded again with O'Gara setting up Ulster's Andrew Trimble for a converted try.
Howver the rusty All Blacks rallied themselves and two further penalties from McAlister brought them into striking range before another gave them the lead.
Then as the game entered the last ten minutes New Zealand conjured a key interception on their own 22 before sparking an attack that eventually saw Troy Flavell go over for the key score try.
McAlister wrapped up the win with one more penalty in the dying moments.
The sides meet again in Auckland next weekend.
New Zealand 34 (Doug Howlett, Mils Muliaina, Troy Flavell tries; Luke McAlister 5 pen, 2 con) Ireland 23 (Brian O'Driscoll, Andrew Trimble tries; Ronan O'Gara 3 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 8-16
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