Rolled out to schools, the programme has also given children a chance to immerse themselves in another culture and to learn about differences, about similarities and about being compassionate - after all, both teams can't win.
Here's a roundup of some of what's planned:
Waiuku
Adopted country = Russia
This is the first Rugby World Cup Russia have competed in, it's a historic achievement and their first game is against the USA in New Plymouth. Back in Russia, the team's success at this level has seen a surge in numbers of young players interested in the game.
Head to Waiuku town square on October 1 for a Russian-themed carnival market featuring face-painters and a Mission Impossible inflatable activity playground, among other attractions, for a gold coin donation. The Glenbrook Vintage Railway will also be having its special steam train journeys along the Waiuku to Glenbrook station route on the day (normally $43 per family, free for the day).
The carnival runs from 11am-3.30pm and will have market traders such as artist potters and garlic growers.
Farm animals will be on show for the kids to pat or you can eat Russian fudge as you have your hair painted blue, red and white and watch a stilt walker shuffle past.
Remuera
Adopted country = Scotland
Scotland have qualified for the last eight at every world cup, they won't want to break this run.
The Scottish have a reputation for being "careful" with money, which they will have to be as adopted team of the wealthy suburb of Remuera. Remuera folks will be sparing no expense in a lavish Scots Festival on October 1, from 10am-3pm (parade starts at 10.30am) before the team play arch-rival England at Eden Park later that night.
About nine local schools have also adopted Scotland and together with several pipe and drum bands, Highland dancers, Scottish clan flag bearers, cheerleaders and scottie dogs, a short parade will start the festival.
There will be also be plenty of Scottish music and dance throughout the day, and retailers will bring tables out on the street and get into the spirit of Scotland: as Remuera Business Association manager Laura Carr says,"we know the Scots love a bargain!".
Scottish country dancing groups will get the crowds involved with ceilidh dance and local schools will also perform Scottish song and dance.
Afterwards you can pop in to the wine shop for a scotch tasting or pick up a haggis from the butcher on the way home.
Clevedon
Adopted country = England
England last won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 in Australia and will be hoping to repeat that success with new coach Martin Johnson at the helm.
Clevedon was once called Wairoa, but it was deemed there were too many towns with that name in New Zealand. A government official, 150 or so years ago, met by chance three people in the village originally from England and they remembered a lovely place named "Clevedon" from back home.
Event organisers are hoping to attract more English people to their town on Friday October 7 for the Baa Baa Sheep Races at the Clevedon A&P Showgrounds, (4.30pm-8pm) with proceeds going to the local Clevedon primary school.
"We thought it was a fitting display for Clevedon given our long association with polo and pony clubs to have a more rural theme to our usually equine events," says Rae Poole, event organiser.
David Cone, wool classer and animal athletics coach, aka the sheep whisperer, is bringing his specially trained thoroughbred racing sheep up from Canterbury for the event.
The Wairoa Bar at the Clevedon Hotel is transforming into the WaiRovers Return as a tribute to Coronation Street on Saturday October 15. There will be dinner and theatrics and you might even swear a real Coronation Street bartender just served you. The Wairoa Bar is at 26 Clevedon Kawakawa Rd, telephone 09 292 8783 for bookings.
Orewa
Adopted country = Japan
Former All Blacks wing John Kirwan coaches the Japanese team, renowned for the speed of their game.
Head to Orewa on October 15 from 10am and immerse yourselves in everything Japanese. A free Japanese festival will be held at the Orewa Community Hall featuring everything from Shodo calligraphy workshops to Japanese storytelling, art displays and a formal tea ceremony to origami lessons and taiko, or Japanese drumming.
The Orewa Market Bazaar will also be running with local crafts for sale. A market day in the town centre will include street performers, musicians, clowns and free bouncy castles and organisers say the weather will be perfect for fun in the sun.
"We've booked the weather for fine so it's going to be absolutely sunny with our fabulous al fresco dining and a wonderful safe place to bring the family," says Leanne Smith from Destination Orewa Beach, who encourages people to bring their bikes and try out the new 7.5km cycleway around the river estuary.
Onehunga
Adopted country = Ireland
Declan Kidney, a softly spoken former maths teacher coaches the Irish team, with outspoken Brian O'Driscoll as its captain.
"It was cheaper to send two people to Ireland for 10 days than to Dunedin for an Ireland match," says Amanda Kinzett, Onehunga town manager, who has been planning the Onehunga Shamrock Festival on September 17 from 11am-2pm and is giving away a trip for two to Ireland.
There will be a leprechaun hunt, heritage festival, Irish fiddles and dancers, or stop in at Jukes Cafe for some specially imported Irish tea - you'll know it's a good brew if your spoon stands up in the cup.
Expect a town crier, face painting, horse and cart rides and many green balloons.
On Thursday September 15, stop in at the Main Street Restaurant & Bar for a night of traditional Irish music. Entry is by gold donation to Hospice.
Takapuna
Adopted country = France
The French have been runners-up on two occasions but have never yet managed to lift the Webb Ellis trophy, despite a lot of promise.
From now until March 2012, Takapuna is hosting Auckland's only weekday night markets on Hurstmere Green from 5-9pm every Thursday night.
"We're hoping the night market will see families going to the beach during the late afternoon, visiting the market, then the shops and finishing off with a meal or drink at one of the many great restaurants and bars in the area," says Peter White of the Takapuna Beach Business Association.
Some bars and restaurants will also host their own Rugby Zones and the North Harbour students will be busking throughout Takapuna during the cup. Remember to pick up French children's books from Next Page Please! and French bread from La Tropezienne, both on Lake Rd.
Grey Lynn
Adopted country = Samoa
Samoa is so passionate about its rugby that a lottery was held to help raise funds for the team to travel here for the Rugby World Cup.
The link between Grey Lynn and Samoa is significant. On Saturday September 24, Sofi Pua, a local Samoan historian, will be leading a walk through the streets of Grey Lynn and talking about its history and cultural ties with Samoa.
Many prominent Samoan families have lived here and Pua will point out homes of interest. Meet at St Joseph's Church at 12.30pm.
A street party will be held on September 22 from 4.30pm-8pm outside the main Grey Lynn shops and there will be a similar event in West Lynn on September 29 between 4.30pm and 8pm.
Both events will have a Samoan theme with stalls, entertainment, street performers, kids activities and local retailers with stalls, all promoting the rich and varied Grey Lynn community.
On October 1, from 12pm-6pm a community festival will be held at St Joseph's school featuring children's activities, art and culture, musicians and stalls selling food and crafts.
Find a friend
Find your favourite team and show your support at a 'burb near you:
Argentina: Birkenhead, Otahuhu
Australia: Hunters Corner Papatoetoe, Mt Eden
Canada: Sandringham, Wellsford
England: Ponsonby, Clevedon
Fiji: Ellerslie
France: Takapuna
Ireland: Eden Valley, Onehunga, Panmure
Italy: Eden Terrace, Newmarket
Japan: Mission Bay, Orewa
Namibia: Pukekohe
Romania: Papakura
Russia: Mangere Bridge, Waiuku
Samoa: Glen Innes, Grey Lynn
Scotland: Howick, Remuera
South Africa: Browns Bay, New Lynn
Tonga: Greenwoods Corner Epsom, K Rd
Wales: Manurewa, Parnell
USA: Mt Albert, St Heliers
