"I rang my sister crying happy tears, as I've waited for that money for so long. Then I rang my mum and my dad and messaged a few of my friends, who were all so happy and excited for me."
Half an hour later though, a follow-up email from ACE advised Lynch there had "been an error with the email sent previously and we will be sending an updated email shortly".
"My heart sunk," she said.
"I was so upset, having gone from an extreme half hour of pure happiness and excitement to the complete opposite.
"I don't understand how they could make that much of a mistake."
ACE has since apologised for the mistake, which it described as an "inconvenience".
It blamed issues with a new IT system for mistakenly sending out emails to 297 awaiting applicants.
ACE, which had assisted thousands of new graduates since November 2012, said the scheme was developed to simplify the application processes for new graduates wanting to apply for positions within the 20 DHBs.
DHB Workforce Strategy Group chairwoman Julie Patterson, the chief executive of Whanganui DHB, said the technical error was "most regrettable".
"We are very sorry that this issue occurred and apologise to everyone affected, particularly those applicants who have not been matched and the distress this may have caused to them and their families," she said.
"Once we were aware of the email error, ACE took immediate action and provided applicants with the correct information."
Patterson said it was the first time an issue of its kind had occurred for ACE and its applicants.
"We will continue working with applicants regarding their next steps and options such as the talent pool."
