The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are the New Zealand Government’s flagship development-focused awards, funded through NZAID. They let eligible international students study full-time at New Zealand universities and institutes of technology, with the cost of tuition, living and travel taken care of.
One honest point up front for our readers: this particular programme is open to citizens of selected countries in the Pacific and Asia — it is not currently open to African nationals. We’re documenting it here for completeness and for students from the eligible regions, and because it’s a strong example of a fully funded development scholarship worth studying as a model.
The scheme prioritises fields tied to a country’s development needs — think renewable energy, agriculture, disaster risk management, and public or private sector development. Selection favours people who can show how they will use the qualification to improve their home country’s social and economic future.
Scholarship benefits
- Full tuition fees
- A living allowance of NZ$615 per week
- An establishment allowance of NZ$3,000
- Medical and travel insurance
- Return airfares between your home country and New Zealand at the start and end of the scholarship
- Travel home during the scholarship
- Help with research and thesis costs for many postgraduate students
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You are a citizen of an eligible Pacific country (Fiji – postgraduate only, French Pacific, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, North Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) or eligible Asian country (Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam).
- ✔ You are 18 or older when your scholarship begins (Samoan scholars may be 17). There is no upper age limit, but applicants under 40 are preferred.
- ✔ You can meet the minimum academic and English requirements set by your chosen institution and course.
- ✔ English level (postgraduate): generally IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT 90 with writing 21, PTE Academic 58 (no skill below 50), or Cambridge Advanced 176 (no band below 169).
- ✔ English level (undergraduate): generally IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 80 with writing 21, PTE Academic 50 (no skill below 42), or Cambridge Advanced 169 (no band below 162).
- ✔ Postgraduate and mature undergraduate applicants have relevant work experience: one year full-time (30+ hours/week) or two years part-time (up to 29 hours/week).
- ✔ You have resided in your home country for two years before starting study (diplomatic assignees and their travelling dependants are exempt).
- ✔ You are willing to contribute to your country’s social or economic development for two years after completing your studies.
- ✔ PhD applicants have secured, or are in active discussion with, a New Zealand university supervisor.
Application tips for students from eligible countries
- Book your English test early. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge dates fill up, and you’ll want your scores ready well before the 31 March midday deadline.
- Confirm course entry requirements first. Each institution sets its own academic and English minimums — check the chosen university’s website before you commit to a preferred course.
- Make your development story concrete. Selection favours applicants who can clearly describe how they’ll improve their home country after study, so tie your chosen field to a real need at home.
- Line up your work-experience evidence. If you’re a postgraduate or mature applicant, gather references and proof of paid, unpaid or voluntary work that meets the hours requirement.
- PhD applicants: start the supervisor search now. Email potential supervisors early; you’ll need evidence of a secured or active discussion if you reach interview.
- Use the correct country-specific application route. The process differs by country and region, so apply through the link that matches your nationality.
- Submit ahead of the cut-off. The deadline is noon (12.00pm) on 31 March — don’t risk a same-day technical glitch.
How to apply
Applications open and close annually, with the deadline set at 31 March 2026, 12.00pm (midday). You don’t need to apply for admission to your preferred institution and course until you’re notified as a preferred candidate — but you must check you can meet the minimum academic and English requirements beforehand. The application route varies by country or region, with online forms provided through region-specific links. Review the country-specific pages and apply through the official site: https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/international-tertiary-students/
Frequently asked questions
Can African students apply?
No. This programme is open only to citizens of selected Pacific and Asian countries listed in the eligibility section. It does not currently include African nationals.
What levels of study does it cover?
The scholarships fund undergraduate and postgraduate degrees — including Bachelors, Masters and PhD — in fields most relevant to the applicant’s country’s development needs.
What does the scholarship pay for?
It covers full tuition, a NZ$615 weekly living allowance, a NZ$3,000 establishment allowance, medical and travel insurance, return and home-leave travel, and research or thesis support for many postgraduate students.
Is there an age limit?
You must be 18 or older when your scholarship starts (Samoan scholars may be 17). There is no upper age limit, though applicants under 40 are preferred.
When is the deadline?
Applications close annually on 31 March, at 12.00pm (midday). Applications are currently closed between cycles, so check the official site for the live application window.
Do I need work experience?
Postgraduate and mature undergraduate applicants must show relevant work experience — one year full-time or two years part-time, which may be paid, unpaid or voluntary.