"You wait for the date desperate to know how the kids have gone. I have received two emails from NZQA telling me not to access until further notice. I tried many times but have respected the email since."
Hawke's Bay Secondary Principals' Association chairman and Taradale High School Principal, Stephen Hensman said it was understandable that information was slow to access.
"This is only a minor irritant, not a problem for schools, to be honest, as we still have plenty of time before we need individual students' results to confirm courses for 2017."
Iona College Dux Bronte Spierings still had some nerves waiting for NCEA. She achieved an excellence endorsement in all of her subjects; calculus, physics, biology, chemistry, accounting.
The 18-year-old, who was also Dux in Year 12, will attend the University of Auckland to study Biomedical Science as she had aspirations of becoming a doctor.
"It has taken a lot of hard work, diligent study, working part time and staying on top of my school work while maintaining a good quality of life.
"I can't wait to use my learning to help and heal people."
Hastings Girls' High School Dux Isabelle Douylliez, 18, was another who gained an excellence endorsement in all five of her subjects.
She went into her exams with an excellence endorsement to her name, but wanted to excel in the exams.
"It is quite pleasing. I strive to do the best that I can and I am relieved that my hard work has paid off."
She is intending to study Biomedical Science at University of Wellington.
Woodford House Dux, Hannah Stone wasn't up at the crack of dawn but was eager to check her results and, after achieving a total of 81 excellence credits, she can breathe a sigh of relief.
Fellow student Eva Goodisson was "pretty pleased" with her results after being granted a $50,000 scholarship to attend Waikato University this year, where she will take her studies to the United States in the second semester.
Tamatea High School student Keyleigh Jones was really happy with her results after achieving a mix of merit and excellence endorsements in her subjects.
She is intending to study towards a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts at Massey University in Wellington this year.
Tamatea High School Principal Robin Fabish said the most pleasing aspect of last year's NCEA results was that Maori students at level 2, level 3 and University Entrance did better than those for non-Maori students; a stark contrast to the results of many other schools around the country.
"I am very proud that our teachers work so hard on relationships and pushing our kids to do well. This is how to get good results for Maori students and, for that matter, all students," she said.