Geneva Ruri says there is only so much the internet will tell you about New Zealand's military history.
This is why the 15-year-old is excited to head to Asia in New Zealand with fellow students from Tikipunga High School Services Academy and war veterans; some who were the same age as the students when they joined the army.
"We hope to learn about things you read on Google, stories you can't find on the internet. We want to get all the stories before they're lost forever," Geneva said.
About 20 students from the academy, which provides military-focused programmes while supporting students to achieve NCEA, are fundraising for the trip to Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia to visit sites of New Zealand military significance.
"Going to southeast Asia is very rare in itself but going with veterans who served there is even more special," she said.
Dick Shepherd, who was Sergeant Major of the 128-strong V6 company in Vietnam in 1970, the last infantry combat company to be in Vietnam, will be returning for the second time.
"The theme of the trip is to follow the footsteps of New Zealand soldiers who were in southeast Asia for 40-odd years," Mr Shepherd said.
"For me I think it will be emotional. The emotion has sort of come up a little bit."
Mr Shepherd said the trip would reflect the deployment of New Zealand soldiers and where they served.
Wayne Hutchinson, who was the section commander in the same company as Mr Shepherd, will be returning for the first time.
"I'm only going back because of the students. I had no personal desire to go and visit these places just to see the sites. To me it's all about passing on the stories while we have the opportunity," he said.
Geneva, who won the Whangarei RSA Anzac Day speech contest, said students learned about Vietnam last year and would be learning about the sites before leaving in November.
They are fundraising for the two-week trip and will be hosting a dinner tomorrow at the school. Students have also been weeding at Karanui, and carrying out pest control work and preparing the ground for kiwi release in the Pukenui Forest.
Visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/tikipungahighservicesacademy if you would like to donate.