Both women, in their early 20s, said they were "genuinely sorry" for their actions, adding that the incident had caused them a great deal of embarrassment.
"It was a f****** stupid mistake, but it was only one mistake that we made when we were really p*****d. We don't deserve to have our names in the paper," Ms Paige said.
"As soon as we woke up in the morning we thought, 's**t what have we done?' and we took the photos down straight away.
"We've already been embarrassed enough. We had to put the crosses back and people were laughing at us."
They snuck in and took the crosses on Friday night before putting them back in their rightful place the following morning, with a letter of apology.
"That's why we went to police, we know what we did was wrong. We put them back in their holes within hours of taking them, the others that are still missing must have been taken after that."
Due to their co-operation and the fact they had returned the crosses, police have decided that no charges will be laid.
However, police are still trying to track down 10 crosses that remain unaccounted for.
While the women are not in any trouble with the law, an ongoing argument is still raging online about their lack of respect, something the women do not deny.
"People have got the right to their opinions, we are genuinely sorry and we are not denying what we did was wrong."
Returned Waipawa serviceman Wally Malcolm felt the issue had been dealt with appropriately but reiterated his disappointment at what had happened.
"It's only there for this month because of Anzac Day, however the temptation was too much for these people.
"They have given them back and we hope it won't happen again with the example that has been made of them. It is a sacred site - that's what it was all about."
