But the King's High School geography pupil says when you win an all-expenses-paid trip to Canada, it becomes even smaller.
The 16-year-old has just been selected to represent New Zealand at the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) in Quebec City next August, and is looking forward to connecting with another part of the globe.
Because he has family living in the United Kingdom and Japan, he has already been lucky to travel widely. He was looking forward to going to Quebec City because it was a French-speaking city.
''The weather, the temperature, the culture and the history - everything about the city is really unique.''
He was selected from a pool of more than 50 New Zealand year 12 geography pupils.
The other team members are Celine Goh (St Cuthbert's College), Molly Hurley (Wellington Girls' College) and Taya Nicholson (Otumoetai College).
The iGeo involves teams of 16 to 19-year-olds from more than 40 countries, competing in a written test, a multimedia test and substantial fieldwork requiring observation, leading to cartographic representation and geographical analysis.
The programme also includes cultural exchanges and time for pupils to get to know their fellow pupils and explore the host city.
The competition aims to stimulate active interest in geographical and environmental studies among young people, as well as create social contacts between young people from different countries.
In doing so, it aims to contribute to the understanding between nations.
''I feel extremely privileged to have this opportunity,'' he said.
''I love to travel. This will be another great place to add to my list.''
