The Highlanders thrashed the Crusaders 41-14, and the Blues beat the Chiefs 38-24.
The Hurricanes bounced back from losing to the Highlanders a week earlier with a rousing 59-26 win over Moana Pasifika in Upper Hutt.
Halfback TJ Perenara played a quarter before being substituted as part of his managed return to play. He is not scheduled to play in Perth in the competition opener next week or the Melbourne round in the second week.
Two penalty tries made life frustrating for Tana Umaga's side, while the Hurricanes' power play was evident throughout. Flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi and wing Kini Naholo both impressed with two tries each.
Moana Pasifika wing Julian Savea scored a try against his old side. The visitors refused to lie down and posted four tries.
The Hurricanes play the Force in Perth next week, while Moana Pasifika will play the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Hurricanes 59 (Penalty tries 2; Peter Lakai, Reon Paul, Du'Plessis Kirifi 2, Kini Naholo 2, Kyle Preston tries; Aidan Morgan 3 con; Brett Cameron 2 con) Moana Pasifika 26 (Semisi Paea, Julian Savea, Sama Malolo, Suetana Asomua tries; William Havili 3 con). HT: 33-14
Returning All Blacks made their presence felt at Onewa Domain in Takapuna when the Blues beat the Chiefs 38-24.
Wings Mark Tele'a (two) and Caleb Clarke picked up tries among the six the Blues scored, while the Chiefs scored first through All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown and led 17-12 at halftime.
The home team's pack was more dominant in the second half, and with quality ball, the backs showed their wares.
Both Blues coach Vern Cotter and Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan were happy with the intensity of the game and the fact there were no injuries after it.
The Chiefs open their campaign by hosting the Crusaders next week, while the Blues meet Fijian Drua in Whangārei.
Blues 38 (Taufa Funaki, Caleb Tangitau, Kurt Eklund, Mark Tele'a 2, Caleb Clarke tries; Corey Evans con; Stephen Perofeta 3 con) Chiefs 24 (A Lienert-Brown, Tana Tuhakaraina, Tom Florence, Aidan Ross tries; Josh Jacomb con; Damian McKenzie con). HT: 12-17
Beating a depleted Crusaders team 41-14 capped an unbeaten pre-season for the Highlanders in Methven, but a stricter test would have better-suited coach Clarke Dermody.
Fielding close to a likely starting XV for the competition proper, the Highlanders scored their first try after 80 seconds and rarely looked like they were losing control. The effort highlighted the growing worth of the combination of loose forwards Billy Harmon and Sean Withy and the continuing development of Sam Gilbert in the midfield.
The Crusaders took the chance to give All Blacks Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell some early season minutes, along with wing Sevu Reece and prop Joe Moody.
The Crusaders have a replay of last year's final against the Chiefs next week, while the Highlanders host Moana Pasifika.
Crusaders 14 (Jack Gray, Antonio Shalfoon tries; Taine Robinson 2 con) Highlanders 41 (Sean Withy, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Folau Fakatava, Oliver Haig, Nathan Hastie tries; Gilbert 3 con, pen; Rhys Patchell con). HT: 0-22