The Kermadec Islands are a group of five islands, each of which are surrounded by 12 nautical miles of marine reserve.
Maha and the other students learnt about the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill that proposes the area be turned into an ocean sanctuary.
According to the Ministry for the Environment, at 620,000 square kilometres, it will be one of the world's largest and most significant fully protected areas.
"The trip was really cool because we were surrounded by scientists that were doing the research and creating submissions surrounding this bill.
"It wasn't just about us going on a really great adventure and experience, but also to research about the area as not much has been done around it and not much is known about it.
"We went out with scientists and what was really exciting was witnessing the sight of juvenile black trevally fish.
"This species had never been seen there before in the Kermadec Islands.
"It's normally found more in tropical areas, so looking at climate change and global warming, we were seeing first hand that more tropical fish and more species are coming further down into colder waters."
Along with exciting scientific research and environmental education the students did a number of activities, notably snorkeling with Galapagos sharks and helicopter rides with the New Zealand Air Force.
While not for the faint hearted, Maha made it even harder for herself by reading Jaws while onboard the vessel.
"There's such a stereotype about sharks but they were just chilling, minding their own business.
"The whole trip was an amazing experience."
