The length of time for each activity changes from three months for Bronze to six months for Silver and 12 months for each section at Gold Level.
Some of the students' activities have included coaching hockey, helping at the Whanganui District Library, being a youth counsellor, learning how to knit, learning how to play the bagpipes, tramping and kayaking the Abel Tasman National Park, canoeing down the Whanganui River, being a youth leader at the YMCA camps at Raukawa Adventure Centre, and going on a 10-day trip to Nepal.
"The Governor-General took time to speak to each student and acknowledge their individual achievements - he was very personable," Mrs O'Connor said.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award is a programme for 14- to 25-year-olds that is open to all young people in New Zealand regardless of background or ability.