Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

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Details checked on 30 October 2026. Dates and amounts change every year. Always confirm on the official page.

Who can apply

Citizens of eligible partner countries only - mainly Pacific and Southeast Asian countries (for example Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) plus some African and Latin American countries; check the official country list, as South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan were not on recent lists. IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate and 6.0 for undergraduate study; postgraduates need 1 to 2 years of relevant work; you must return home for at least 2 years after the award.

Watch: how to apply

About this opportunity

New Zealand government development scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate study. You apply to the scholarship first; only shortlisted candidates then apply to a New Zealand university.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that you are eligible. Citizens of eligible partner countries only - mainly Pacific and Southeast Asian countries (for example Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) plus some African and Latin American countries; check the official country list, as South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan were not on recent lists. IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate and 6.0 for undergraduate study; postgraduates need 1 to 2 years of relevant work; you must return home for at least 2 years after the award.
2. Note the deadline. Mar (annual; the 2026 round closed on 31 Mar 2026 - the next round is expected to open around 1 Mar 2027 and close around 31 Mar 2027 at noon NZ time; confirm country dates on nzscholarships.govt.nz) Confirm the exact date on the official page.
3. Prepare your documents. Online scholarship application, passport/ID, academic records, English evidence, work-experience evidence, referee details (country-specific).
4. Apply on the official page. Open the official application page and submit your application before the deadline.

How applicants are selected

Eligibility screening → shortlisting → university admission → letter of offer from the New Zealand Government

Free materials

Templates, checklists and guides to help you apply.

Browse all free materials →

Tips from our advisors

1. Read the eligibility line by line before you write anything. Most rejections are eligibility mismatches, not weak essays.
2. Contact potential supervisors before you apply. Send a one-page research summary and a short, specific email.
3. Show a clear link between your past studies, this programme and your career goal. Committees look for a story, not a list.
4. Beyond grades, show leadership and community impact with concrete numbers and outcomes.
5. Spend most of your time on the criteria with the highest weight in the selection breakdown above.
6. Start at least 8 to 12 weeks early. Certified transcripts, translations and referee letters usually take longer than expected.

Quick answers

Who can apply for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?

Citizens of eligible partner countries only - mainly Pacific and Southeast Asian countries (for example Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) plus some African and Latin American countries; check the official country list, as South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan were not on recent lists. IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate and 6.0 for undergraduate study; postgraduates need 1 to 2 years of relevant work; you must return home for at least 2 years after the award.

What does Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships cover?

Full tuition, living allowance (about NZ$615 per week), establishment allowance (NZ$3,000), medical insurance, tutoring support (up to NZ style="padding-top:40px",000), travel and reintegration allowance (NZ style="padding-top:40px",000)

When is the deadline for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?

Mar (annual; the 2026 round closed on 31 Mar 2026 - the next round is expected to open around 1 Mar 2027 and close around 31 Mar 2027 at noon NZ time; confirm country dates on nzscholarships.govt.nz) Dates change every year, so confirm on the official page.

Where can I study or work with Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?

Host countries: New Zealand.

What documents do I need for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?

Online scholarship application, passport/ID, academic records, English evidence, work-experience evidence, referee details (country-specific).

How are applicants selected for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?

Eligibility screening → shortlisting → university admission → letter of offer from the New Zealand Government

How much work is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships application?

High: online application first, university application after shortlisting