For 18-year-olds Alex Caithness, Tori Hall and Nick Wyatt, it was also the moment the shackles which bound them to their homes were broken, and they could begin "the next stage" of their lives.
Miss Hall, from Columba College, gained university entrance and plans to study health sciences at the University of Otago this year.
Ultimately, she hopes to study medicine or dentistry.
"But most importantly, I get to go to university and get away from home. The shackles have been broken. I'm stoked," she said.
Mr Wyatt, from Otago Boys High School, said he had been anxious to learn his results in NCEA physics, which he needed to pass, in order to study engineering at Canterbury University this year.
He clenched his fist in triumph and shouted "yes" when he found he had passed.
"I was a bit tense. I thought I might have failed the exam. I'm definitely relaxed now that I've seen the results."
Miss Catihness, from St Hildas Collegiate, also gained university entrance and planned to study Japanese at the University of Otago this year.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority deputy chief executive of qualifications, Bali Haque, said the national results were encouraging because they showed an overall increase in the number of pupils gaining endorsed certificates.
Of the 50,236 candidates gaining NCEA level 1, 22.6% (23.2% in 2008) gained a merit endorsement and 6.3% (5.9% in 2008) gained an excellence endorsement.
Of the 41,710 pupils gaining NCEA level 2, 17.3% (16.9% in 2008) gained a merit endorsement and 4.9% (4.1%) gained an excellence endorsement.
Of the 22,520 candidates gaining NCEA level 3, 21.2% (20.5% in 2008) gained a merit endorsement and 5.2% (4.8% in 2008) gained an excellence endorsement.
A total of 20,454 candidates gained university entrance.
"The results are consistent with previous years, but there is an overall increase in the proportion of students gaining endorsed certificates.
"This indicates that certificate endorsement is proving a motivating factor for students."
Marked examination papers would be returned to candidates progressively over the fortnight from January 18, Mr Haque said.
Following the return of marked papers, candidates have until February 19 to apply for reviews and reconsiderations.
New Zealand Scholarship results will be delivered in mid-February.
