Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

About this scholarship

Full scholarship covering tuition, living costs, travel, insurance and related allowances for the study period in New Zealand. Full length of the qualification (Masters ~1-2 yr, PhD ~3+ yr)

ProviderNew Zealand Government - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

CountryNew Zealand (Oceania)

Host university / institutionNew Zealand universities (e.g. Auckland, Massey, Victoria, Lincoln, Canterbury, AUT); New Zealand universities (University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, etc.)

Degree levelsBachelors/Masters/PhD

Fields of studyDevelopment priority areas

Funding typeFully Funded

Application feeFree

DeadlineDeadlines vary by country/region (roughly February-March); high-volume countries may close early, so apply early.

IntakeAnnual (one main tertiary round per year)

Applications openFebruary

CompetitionVery High

Programme durationFull length of the qualification (Masters ~1-2 yr, PhD ~3+ yr)

BachelorsMastersPhD Development priority areas

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships eligibility criteria

Citizen of an eligible developing country (current cycle: Pacific and Asia)
At least 18 when signing the offer letter
Postgraduate applicants: 1 year full-time relevant work experience (some waivers)
Meet institution academic entry standards
English proficiency (postgrad generally IELTS 6.5; undergrad IELTS 6.0)
Resided in home country for 2 years before applying (some exceptions)
Commit to return and contribute to home country for at least 2 years
Citizen of an eligible developing country (including Pakistan)
Under 40 years of age
Bachelor's degree with good grades
Not already a NZ citizen/permanent resident
Meet university admission requirements
Not previously studied in NZ for 12+ months
IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+

Benefits and coverage

Full tuition fees
Living allowance for basic expenses
Establishment allowance for set-up costs
Medical insurance while in New Zealand
Return airfares (plus one home visit for programs over 1.6 years)
Travel insurance
Reintegration allowance on return home
Research/thesis cost support and tutoring where needed
Living allowance NZD $400 per week
Establishment allowance NZD $3,000
Return economy airfare
Travel allowance within New Zealand
Health insurance
Research and thesis costs support

Required documents

Online application form
Academic transcripts including the grading scale
Verified English-translated transcripts and completion certificates
Evidence of English proficiency
Proof of citizenship/eligibility
Work-experience evidence (postgraduate)
Academic transcripts and degree certificates
English proficiency certificate
Two recommendation letters
Statement of purpose
CV/Resume
Copy of passport
Medical certificate

How to apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

Review the eligibility criteria above and confirm you meet every requirement.
Prepare all required documents early — transcripts, CV, recommendation letters and motivation letter.
Deadlines vary by country/region (roughly February-March); high-volume countries may close early, so apply early. Submit a complete application before the February deadline.
Always confirm the latest details on the official website before applying.

Amount / coverageFull scholarship covering tuition, living costs, travel, insurance and related…

LevelsBachelors/Masters/PhD

Frequently asked questions

Citizen of an eligible developing country (current cycle: Pacific and Asia) At least 18 when signing the offer letter Postgraduate applicants: 1 year full-time relevant work experience (some waivers) Meet institution academic entry standards English proficiency (postgrad generally IELTS 6.5; undergrad IELTS 6.0) Resided in home country for 2 years before applying (some exceptions) Commit to return and contribute to home country for at least 2 years Citizen of an eligible developing country (including Pakistan) Under 40 years of age Bachelor's degree with good grades Not already a NZ citizen/permanent resident Meet university admission requirements Not previously studied in NZ for 12+ months IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+

Full tuition fees Living allowance for basic expenses Establishment allowance for set-up costs Medical insurance while in New Zealand Return airfares (plus one home visit for programs over 1.6 years) Travel insurance Reintegration allowance on return home Research/thesis cost support and tutoring where needed Living allowance NZD $400 per week Establishment allowance NZD $3,000 Return economy airfare Travel allowance within New Zealand Health insurance Research and thesis costs support

Online application form Academic transcripts including the grading scale Verified English-translated transcripts and completion certificates Evidence of English proficiency Proof of citizenship/eligibility Work-experience evidence (postgraduate) Academic transcripts and degree certificates English proficiency certificate Two recommendation letters Statement of purpose CV/Resume Copy of passport Medical certificate

Deadlines vary by country/region (roughly February-March); high-volume countries may close early, so apply early.

No — applications for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are free.

No application fee — apply free

Apply on the official website → Official info page

DeadlineFebruary

OpensFebruary

IntakeAnnual (one main tertiary round per year)

CompetitionVery High

CountryNew Zealand

Deadlines and details change — always confirm on the official website before applying.

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