World champions New Zealand have kicked off their Rugby Championship campaign with a resounding 39-18 victory over Argentina.

It took just six minutes for Dan Carter to open the scoring, as he split the sticks from 40 metres out to put the Kiwis on their way.

Argentina, without an away win in their three previous appearances in this tournament, were gifted a chance to level things up soon after when the hosts gave away a penalty, which Nicolas Sanchez coolly dispatched.

The points continued to come via pens, rather than any moment of individual brilliance, after Carter again found the target with his sliced attempt from range.

With 20 minutes on the clock, New Zealand were finally able to find the game's first try through Richie McCaw, who dived over to extend his side's advantage.

Carter failed to add the extras, however, while Marcelo Bosch was unsuccessful with a penalty soon after, but Sanchez had no such trouble when taking back kicking duties to pull Argentina right back into it.

More frustration was to come for fly-half Carter when another kick was wayward, yet the Kiwis ensured they had enough breathing space heading into the break thanks to Ma'a Nonu, who showed the strength required to shake off a couple of challenges and touch down.

Any hope Los Pumas had of adding some second-half pressure soon dissolved when Kieran Read capitalised on an error to find the whitewash soon after the restart, moments after Charles Piutau had himself found a way through.

It was not all the World Cup holders' way, however, as Agustin Creevy crossed over twice in the space of five minutes to make it 32-18 at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

There was to be no late drama, though, with replacement Codie Taylor crossing over for a debut try to secure a 37th straight home win for the All Blacks.