Mararoa School senior students got a taste of the big city when they attended the National Young Leaders' Day conference in Auckland.

Seven Year 7 and Year 8 students from Mararoa School worked from the ground up to plan and fundraise a school trip this month to Auckland to experience a different side of New Zealand. 

Mararoa School teacher Raewyn Harrison said the trip to hear inspirational speakers from different walks of life was part of the school's own leadership curriculum. 

The camp was ultimately the end result of all the hard work they put in leading up to it, such as raising $3000 on their own before seeking community donations, along with planning every aspect of the trip from meal planning to booking where to stay.

"It seems really grown up, but we've noticed a huge change in the students that are going through [the leadership programme], especially now that we're in our fourth year. 

"Sometimes it's just the children that potentially might not have been given an opportunity to have a leadership role. All students have to do it, and so it's amazing to see that some of them shine and this confidence in them by the time they're finished up in Year 8."

At the National Young Leaders' Day conference, held in South Auckland, Mrs Harrison said the speakers gave additional eye-opening perspectives of resiliency amidst adversity to around 

1000 kids.

Mararoa School students were "buzzing" from their trip, and would be presenting their experiences to both the Rotary Club of Fiordland and Te Anau Lions groups, who helped sponsor parts of the trip. 

"It's about empowering the kids and they listen to speakers. They speak at their level, but even as an adult you go and you feel pretty inspired by them," Mrs Harrison said.