An excursion with the intent of being an educational experience has turned into a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rub shoulders with the nation's leader for a group of Aquinas College students.

Aquinas College head of technology faculty Peter Nicholson says 46 year 11 and 13 students were able to meet PM Jacinda Adern as part of their annual visit to Fieldays event in Hamilton.

'Every year we take a group of our technology students along to Fieldays where we look at the innovation happening in the agriculture industry throughout all sections of technology, whether it's food, engineering or any other area.

'We were visiting the careers expo area when Jacinda went wandering past.

'It was great because we hadn't expected it. What are the chances of running into the Prime Minister while you're at Fieldays?

'It was a great chance for her to chat with the students and the conversations were all really positive and our students seemed to have enjoyed the encounter.”