Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2026

New Zealand is an exotic destination known for its stunning natural beauty and adventurous activities. With its high-quality research facilities and internationally recognised degrees, New Zealand universities provide a unique blend of academic excellence and hands-on practical learning.

You needn’t break the bank to study in New Zealand—several scholarships are available to fund your studies if you plan ahead. Many of the scholarships offer full financial aid and cover 100% of your course fees, living costs, and more.

One such scholarship is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship offered by the NZ government. Check out the scholarship details here.

Introduction to the Manaaki Scholarship

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are designed to support international students from eligible countries in the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) of New Zealand, the Manaaki Scholarships aim to provide high-quality education, skill development, and leadership training that can contribute to developing the recipient's home country.

Eligible Countries

Applicants from more than 20 developing countries across Asia and the Pacific are eligible to apply, though some countries, including India, are not covered under this scholarship this year. Here’s what you need to know about eligible or participating countries from Asia:

Students from some of the Pacific countries like Fiji, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea are also eligible for these scholarships. Visit the scholarship website for the complete list of eligible countries.

Fields of study and course levels covered

The New Zealand Manaaki scholarships cover various subject areas and course levels. However, the eligible levels and subjects depend on the country. These are decided based on the economic and social requirements of the country. Here are the details for applicants from Asian countries:

Benefits of the Manaaki Scholarships

From advancing their knowledge and career prospects to fully experiencing New Zealand culture and lifestyle, the benefits of the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship are manifold.

Some key advantages include:

• Full financial support.
• Access to high-quality education with New Zealand universities featuring in the top 3% of the QS World University Rankings.
• Diverse subject areas tailored to an eligible country’s needs, such as agriculture, engineering, environmental science, health, governance, etc.
• Better career prospects with an enhanced focus on skill building tailored to student’s home country needs, which enables them to contribute to their country’s development and economy.
• Leadership and networking opportunities for Manaaki awardees to connect with other Kiwis and be a part of a talented community of global scholars.
• Excellent student support system for Manaaki awardees throughout their scholarship duration.
• Rich immersive New Zealand culture with 12% of its inhabitants being Asian.

The scholarship coverage

The Manaaki Scholarship offers comprehensive coverage of the expenses you may incur if you decide to study in New Zealand. The coverage includes:

• Full tuition costs
• Travel to and from the country
• Medical insurance
• Travel insurance
• Costs to travel home during breaks or holidays to visit family (up to 2 trips) during the scholarship duration
• Tutoring costs for extra academic assistance
• Basic living expenses
• Establishment or set-up allowance costs that include housing costs and other expenses such as textbooks or other study materials
• Research or thesis costs for postgraduate students
• Reintegration allowance that covers costs of living and housing in the home country

Types of Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships include the following types:

• Scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study: Available to international students eligible to study undergraduate or postgraduate courses in New Zealand or an educational institution in the Pacific.
• Vocational Short-Term Training Scholarships: Short-term scholarships provided to workers from eligible countries to upskill or get on-the-job training.
• Thematic Short-Term Cohort Training Scholarships: These are short-term training scholarships given to professionals from eligible countries to acquire new skills and apply their learnings in their home countries.
• English Language Training for Officials Scholarships (NZELTO): Scholarships specifically designed for government officials from Asia and Africa to undergo English language training in New Zealand.

Manaaki scholarship eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are dependent on the applicant’s country of citizenship. Before applying, applicants should check if they meet the prerequisites by answering the following questions:

• Which country’s citizenship do you have?
• How long have you lived in the country?
• How much work experience do you have?
• Is your country eligible for the scholarship?
• Are you in the military currently?
• Have you previously been a Manaaki Scholarship awardee?

Academic and language requirements:

Applicants must meet the academic requirements set by their preferred university.

PhD scholarship candidates should identify, engage, and reach out to their supervisors very early in the process as they may be asked to provide this information during the scholarship interview.

Applicants must show English language proficiency through any of the following:

• IELTS 6.5 or higher
• TOEFL iBT 90 or higher
• PTE 58 or higher
• Cambridge Academic English 176 or above

Professional requirements:

Postgraduate applicants must have one of the following:

• One year of relevant full-time work experience equivalent to 30 hours or more per week
• 2 years of relevant part-time work experience (less than 30 hours per week)

Other requirements:

• Applicants must be between 18 and 39 years old at the start of the scholarship

• Applicants must return to their home country and contribute to its economic and social development
• Applicants must be residing in their country for at least 2 years before the scholarship application
• Applicants must have good communication and leadership skills.

Application process and timeline

You must apply online for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship through their official website. The application window for 2025 closes on 28 February 2025. Interviews of selected candidates will be conducted during May and July each year.

Steps to apply for the scholarship:

1. Before you start the actual application, check your eligibility by taking the online test. If you’re eligible, you will get an eligibility code.
2. Register and create an account on the scholarship website. Click Register. Note that this button appears only if you’re eligible.
3. Provide a valid email address and the eligibility code.
4. Complete your registration by setting a password.
5. Fill in the required details, such as:
   1. Name, address, date of birth, phone number, etc.
   2. Valid email address
   3. Preferred courses and New Zealand universities
   4. Description of how your preferred courses are in line with the recommended subjects for your country
   5. Details of work experience
   6. Explanation of what you expect to gain from the courses and how they would help your country
   7. The reason why you selected New Zealand as your study destination
   8. Other personal writeups on problem-solving, building relationships, and achieving your goals
6. Submit your application.
7. If selected, you will be notified by email and required to do a psychometric test.
8. Complete your psychometric test within 10 days of getting the email.
9. If successful, you will proceed to the interview stage.
10. The interview could be conducted either by phone or an online video call.

Documents to be submitted

You must submit the following documents for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship:

• Academic transcripts in English
• Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
• English language test scores
• Valid passport
• Valid ID, such as birth certificate, government ID, etc
• Supervisor contact (for PhD applicants)

Other scholarships to study in New Zealand

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are extremely competitive. However, there are plenty of other scholarships you can apply to, if you decide to study in New Zealand.

Some of the scholarships for Indian students offered by NZ universities include:

• AUT International Scholarships Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies
• AUT International Scholarships South Asia
• Lincoln University Doctoral Scholarships
• Dean's International Doctoral Scholarship (FMHS)
• The University of Waikato GEMS Scholarship

While Manaaki Scholarships are not available to Indian students, New Zealand universities offer plenty of other scholarships to support your academic aspirations. All the best in your study-abroad journey!