"The criteria involved was their scholastic ability, their achievements, their whakapapa to Ngati Whakaue being the main one, a letter which outlined their leadership shown at school and their involvement with their hapu and iwi," she said.
"It could be in any aspect such as helping on the marae, kapa haka, volunteering or anything involved with whanau."
Mrs Cooper said it was a challenge co-ordinating the nominations and gathering the students together during last year's summer holidays but the group were able to meet and prepare for the trip in January.
"They (students) had some knowledge of Pukaki, and how he related to Ngati Whakaue, and we went to the museum, through Te Arawa history, and saw the 28th Maori Battalion movie, and had lunch at Fat Dog so the students could get to know each other."
Another trip was organised at Skyline for the students to prepare before flying down last week.
As part of the day's events, the students also visited Government House for the launch of the Anzac commemorative coin. At the launch, the students were gifted the first Anzac coins by Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae.
The Anzac coins do not enter public circulation until March 23, so the students are the first in New Zealand to have them.
"Some of the students hadn't been to Wellington before and two hadn't been on an aeroplane. They were enthralled at the Reserve Bank to see how the money was made and the different types of money and the bus was able to drive right up to the door of Government House."
Included in the excursion was a tour of Parliament guided by Rotorua list MP Fletcher Tabuteau, a visit to Te Papa and going to Mt Victoria lookout before flying out. At each stop a male student would thank the host with a whaikorero and would be supported with a waiata by the female students.
Tarawhare Phillips-Brown said the trip was inspirational. The 14-year-old represented Western Heights High School.
"It was quite exciting meeting the Governor-General - he was really nice and had a chat with all of us," he said.
"The whole trip was cool. We got to meet different people who work in different roles and it was really inspiring and interesting what they had to say. It was great being with the whole group, at first we didn't know each other and now it feels like we've known each other for ages.
"I really want to work hard at school and go to university and work in [information technology].
Mrs Cooper said the annual trip was to show students successful people and what they could achieve.
"It's about giving them ideas and what could happen. The Governor of the Reserve Bank Graeme Wheeler spoke about how he worked in the freezing works and with a lot of hard work he is where he is today."
