Eye-opening' is how the Bay of Plenty's Youth MPs are describing their recent trip to uncover the inner workings of the Beehive.

Of the four secondary school students who attended the event in Wellington on July 16-17, two are now thinking of entering politics later in life.

Tauranga Girls' College student Emily McCarthy, representing Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall, at his desk in the debating chamber reading out the mock Primary Production select committee findings.

Tauranga Boys' College student Mungo Mason gets comfortable sitting in the parliament building – and now wants a political career later in life.

The 2013 Youth Parliament, made up of 120 Youth MPs from throughout the country, standing on the steps of the Parliament building last week.

Tauranga Boys' College student Mungo Mason, who was representing Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says it was a 'massive eye opener and unlike anything I had ever experience before”.

'It definitely changed what I thought about parliament, in how much of a governing role, we, the public, have or can play.”

Before the trip, Mungo had no plan to enter parliament 'but that has definitely changed”.

'I'm possibly looking at getting into parliament – after some life experience of course – so later in life.”

He, along with Tauranga Girls' College students Emily McCarthy, representing Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall, and Kura Waller, representing Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell, and Bethlehem College's Tom Rutherford, representing Mount Maunganui Independent MP Brendan Horan, were among 121 Youth MPs and 20 Youth Press Gallery members, from throughout the country, at the Beehive.

'It was definitely an eye-opener as to what goes on behind the closed doors of parliament,” agrees Emily, who got to stay at Premier House: the official residence of Prime Minister John Key.

'My grandmother would have liked it – there were a lot of chandeliers, a grand piano and, surprisingly, teddy bears sitting on the stairs. It is worth $13 million – it was really cool.”

Stepping into the shoes of an MP for two days – the students got to debate legislation, sit on one of 10 select committees with topics from free farming to youth employment, ask questions of Cabinet ministers –and debate Youth Parliament 2013's mock bill, focused on electoral reform.

On the mock Primary Productions select committee, Emily was among a group of Youth MPs considering ‘Can NZ afford to be free range?'

'That was probably the highlight of my trip, because I had quite strong views on animal welfare, but a lot of people in my committee were thinking of the economic short-term costs.

'So I had to learn to exercise the ability to make a compromise, because of varying views in the committee,” says Emily.

She says being a Youth MP is a great experience – even if you don't want to get involved in politics.

'You can learn about how to get involved in the community and how the democratic system of New Zealand works.”

Kura enjoyed her 'once in a lifetime opportunity” – and now wants to be an MP.

'I think I will go into politics – I wasn't sure before my trip, but now I really think I want to, because I think I could be an asset to parliament as an MP.

'The best part was when we were in the debating chambers debating issues – it was the highlight – and also meeting all the different kinds of people,” says Kura.

Meanwhile Mungo, who with three other Youth MPs enjoyed a dinner with MPs Ian McKelvie and Chris Auchinvole, says the politicians have a tough life, but are incredibly committed and enjoy the perks of being able to contribute to the community.

'I guess that is why they are there – to make NZ a better place because they love it so much.”

Mungo, who got to ask Cabinet Minister MP Nikki Kaye a question on youth entrepreneurial studies, is happy he got to meet the country's MPs in real-life, and see their down-to-earth nature.

'It's [parliament] the centre of New Zealand, it's what runs the roads, hospitals and schools. To be involved in something that takes the course of the future of NZ – it's pretty interesting”.

Mungo, Emily, Kura and Tom will remain Youth MPs until December 31.