Otago Boys' High School pupils Tama Robertson (17), Tim Chisholm (16), Nathan Lee (17) and Kristian Tekie (17) make up one of 10 teams from schools across the country selected as finalists in the New Zealand Treasury Schools' Challenge.
The boys have to grapple with ''real world'' issues the Treasury deals with every day.
''It's brilliant,'' Tama said.
''We've worked very hard, for a very long time, writing up research and policies on foreign investment, attracting international students, teacher rotation and sustainable agriculture.
''These are the areas we believe can create sustainable economic growth in New Zealand.''
The team will present its policies at the New Zealand Treasury in Wellington on June 19.
Each of the finalists will have 10 minutes to present their ideas, followed by five minutes of questions from a panel of judges comprising Treasury analysts and professors from Victoria University.
The other teams in the finals are Christchurch Girls' High School, Hillcrest High School (Hamilton), Hutt Valley High School, James Hargest College (Invercargill), Mt Maunganui College, New Plymouth Girls' High School, Pakuranga College, Selwyn College (Auckland) and Wellington College.
Treasury deputy secretary Bill Moran said the number of schools entering the competition more than doubled this year, so the competition was tough.
''We're thrilled with the way students have responded.''
