Sixteen-year-old Zac Mckay is embarking on an overseas opportunity to the UK.

The Aquinas College student is departing on August 3 for the 2018 International Youth Gathering held by the International Police Associations.

Starting in 2000, this is the 18th annual event for the children and grandchildren of police officers. Attendees must be no younger than 16 and no older than 18. The IYG moves locations every year, and has previously been held in New Zealand.

For Zac the opportunity arose when his father, who has been a police officer for 25 years, received an email about the trip.

With the help of his teachers and parents, he sent off a CV styled application in December 2017. In February he found out that, alongside a girl from Wellington, they would be representing New Zealand at this year's gathering. They are just two out of 45 participants attending.

'I wanted to apply for this because it's a ‘once in a life time' opportunity. I also wanted to apply because from a young age I have wanted to follow in Dad's footsteps and become a police officer.”

Zac hopes to make lifelong friends and connections at the IYG. 'I would love to go and visit some of the other participants after the gathering. I would also love to host them here and show them around this beautiful country that we live in, particularly the Bay of Plenty.”

He has already had contact with other attending youth from Denmark, Ukraine, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Spain, France, and Canada. 'I'm sure once I get to the gathering I will meet more youth from many other corners of the world.”

The IYG is spread over two weeks. During this time Zac and the other participants will be doing various activities, including: visiting Trent Bridge Cricket ground; visiting the UK IPA HQ; touring local police stations; visiting the National Justice Museum (Nottingham); and doing a range of practical police-based activities such as CSI, first aid, gun ranges, bush craft/survival skills, and having various presentations, such as one on gangs.

Zac had to fundraise for the trip. 'Anyone who has travelled to the UK knows that the flights alone cost a lot. Region Two of the NZ IPA have very kindly contributed towards my trip. I have also done lots of little jobs to raise money, such as house sitting, lawn mowing, gardening, painting, and dog running.”

Zac feels that being a part of this will help his chances of becoming a police officer in the future.

'The trip will put me in situations that will useful for the police force. And if that doesn't work out, or I have a change of mind, I think this experience will appeal to future employers. It will show I can be put into situations where I don't know anyone and can befriend them.”