The All Blacks have shaken off a multitude of mistakes and a plucky Pumas side, running out 46-24 winners in Nelson.
TJ Perenara scored a try double on a night that blindslide flanker Shannon Frizell announced himself as a potential future star.
The Highlanders forward was the best player on the park in the first half, tormenting Argentinian defenders at will, then earning a first test try late in the match.
If the All Blacks coaching staff wanted their young side tested, they got their wish. The Pumas were brave throughout and found holes in the New Zealand defence several times during the 80 minutes.
Despite some testing moments and a double-digit error count, the All Blacks attack was sublime at times.
Perenara was a standout in the 'nine' jersey, scoring twice, including a great job in support of the impressive Anton Lienert-Brown.
The Chiefs midfielder replaced Ngani Laumape early, after the Hurricanes second-five left the field with a serious-looking knee injury.
Lienert-Brown, as he did in Sydney last month, slotted into second-five and produced a fine display. Several line-breaks and a couple of try assists were a great return for a player whom the selectors clearly trust.
It wasn't a great night on the injury front for Steve Hansen's side, with star lock Brodie Retallick joining Laumape in the medical ward.
Retallick appeared to hurt his shoulder and knee in the same tackle, succumbing a few minutes late with a concerned look on his face.
The much-talked-about starting debut of Crusaders playmaker Richie Mo'unga will be considered a success, with the 24-year-old controlling play well.
Mo'unga kicked 16 points in his maiden start, but was untidy with his execution, typifying an over-exuberant display from the world champions.
Mo'unga wasn't too flashy, but managed to shake off a few early errors to guide the All Blacks through some tough periods.
The Pumas were superbly controlled by first-five Nico Sanchez, who caused the All Blacks severe headaches with his decision-making.
Sanchez was one of three try-scorers, alongside outstanding fullback Emiliano Bofelli and winger Ramiro Moyano, who scored a stunning five-pointer to open the Pumas account.
Moyano weaved past the rattled hosts to score the game's first try.
His opposite, Nehe Milner-Skudder, responded quickly with a try in his first test for nearly a year, before Perenara also stretched across.
Argentina centre Matias Moroni was unlucky not to score after a Sanchez break, with his foot barely scraping the dead-ball line in Perenara's tackle.
Mo'unga's second penalty put New Zealand 18-7 up at half-time, but the gap was reduced to four, when the excellent Sanchez ghosted over.
Two All Blacks veterans combined, when skipper Kieran Read scored from a Ben Smith break, before Perenara's second put the hosts 15 points clear entering the final quarter.
Boffelli scythed over from a Sanchez short ball with 10 minutes to play, before Frizell and outside centre Jack Goodhue blew out the score-line.
Argentina haven't finished within 15 points of the All Blacks in any of their 12 Rugby Championship tests.
But their tenacious display - in the face of a hefty penalty count against them - will provide some confidence, as they prepare for the Wallabies on the Gold Coast next week.
New Zealand 46 (Nehe Milner-Skudder, TJ Perenara 2, Kieran Read, Shannon Frizell, Josh Goodhue tries; Richie Mo'unga six conversions & two penalties) Argentina 24 (Ramiro Moyano, Nico Sanchez & Emiliano Boffelli tries; Sanchez three conversions & penalty)
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