If you’re looking for a fully funded scholarship to study in New Zealand in 2026, the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (New Zealand Government Scholarship Programme) is one of the strongest options for eligible international students. Applications for the 2026 tertiary intake open on 1 March 2026 and close at midday on 31 March 2026 (NZ time), so planning early matters.​ A Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship will change and enrich your life. Recipients of a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship build life-long connections to each other and to Aotearoa New Zealand while gaining a globally recognised education, and the tools to help their communities and countries achieve the futures they deserve.

Basic information (and deadline)

The Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship (often searched as “Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship 2026”) is a government-funded programme designed to support students from eligible countries to pursue tertiary study in New Zealand. For the 2026 tertiary application round, applications open at midnight 1 March 2026 and close at midday 31 March 2026 (NZST).​

Types of Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships:

• Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarships
  • Fully funded scholarships
  • For full-time tertiary study
• Vocational Short-Term Training Scholarships
  • Short-term skills training
  • Includes practical work experience
• Thematic Short-Term Cohort Training Scholarships
  • Short courses for groups (cohorts)
  • Designed to address common skill gaps in eligible countries
• English Language Training for Officials (NZELTO)
  • Short-term English training
  • For government officials from eligible African and Asian countries

University/institution details

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are used to study at approved New Zealand education institutions (universities and other tertiary providers), and during the application you must list your preferred courses and the education institution you want to study at. You also need to choose courses that “progress on” from the highest qualification you’ve already achieved, so your study plan must show a logical academic pathway.

For PhD pathways, the programme expects you to plan early: applicants are encouraged to identify and contact suitable supervisors, and if you reach the interview stage you may need to show evidence that you have secured—or are actively discussing—a supervisor.

Study areas (available programme names)

Research Available Courses

• Scholars can study in New Zealand at:
  • 8 universities
  • 3 institutes of technology
• Eligible Pacific citizens can also study at:
  • 2 approved Pacific universities

Eight Approved Universities

• Auckland University of Technology
• Lincoln University
• Massey University
• University of Auckland
• University of Canterbury
• University of Otago
• University of Waikato
• Victoria University of Wellington

Note: New Zealand universities are ranked in the top 3% globally and in the world’s top 100 in over 30 subjects (QS Rankings).

Two Institutes of Technology

• Southern Institute of Technology
• Unitec Institute of Technology
• These institutes focus on practical skills and hands-on training.

Approved Pacific Universities (For Eligible Pacific Citizens)

• University of the South Pacific
• Fiji National University

Important Before Applying

• Research each approved education institution carefully.
• Check their course catalogues.
• Choose study preferences that:
  • Match your academic and personal goals
  • Are available for your country
  • Progress from your highest qualification
• The updated subject list for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme will be available from 15 February.

Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship benefits

Typical benefit categories scholars often plan around include:

• Full tuition fees covered
• Living allowance for daily expenses (adjusted if studying in home country)
• Establishment allowance for initial setup (accommodation, books, study materials)
• Medical insurance while in New Zealand
• Tutoring support if additional academic help is needed
• Return airfare (from home country at the beginning and back at the end)
• Travel insurance
• 1–2 home visits for scholars studying more than 1.6 years
• Reintegration allowance when returning home
• Research and thesis support for many postgraduate students.

Benefits not included (or not required at application)

A common application mistake is spending time collecting documents that aren’t required at the initial application stage. For the tertiary scholarship application, you do not need to provide English language test scores when you apply, and you also do not need verified copies of your passport/birth certificate/government ID at that stage. You also should not apply for a student visa unless you are offered and accept a scholarship.

Also, while some visa-related and medical costs may be reimbursed if you keep receipts, the programme lists examples of visa-related costs it will not reimburse (such as police clearance fees, courier fees, and passport fees).

Eligibility criteria for Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship

Academic & English Requirements

• Must meet:
  • Academic entry requirements
  • English language requirements of chosen institution
• Scholarship available only for approved subjects.

English Requirements (General Guide)

For Postgraduate Study:

• IELTS: 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT: 90 (Writing 21)
• PTE Academic: 58 (no skill below 50)
• Cambridge Advanced: 176 (no band below 169)

For Undergraduate Study:

• IELTS: 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
• TOEFL iBT: 80 (Writing 21)
• PTE Academic: 50 (no skill below 42)
• Cambridge Advanced: 169 (no band below 162)

🔹 Only shortlisted applicants must submit English test scores.
🔹 Some shortlisted applicants may receive funded English training.
🔹 English training is NOT available for PhD applicants.

Residency Requirement

• Must have lived in home country for 2 years before applying.
• Exceptions:
  • Diplomatic assignments
  • Studying overseas

Work Experience (Postgraduate Only)

• You must have:
  • 1 year full-time work experience (30+ hours/week), OR
  • 2 years part-time work experience (up to 29 hours/week)
• Work can be:
  • Paid
  • Unpaid
  • Voluntary
• Preference given if:
  • Your study aligns with your work.
  • You plan to continue working in the same sector after graduation.
• Work experience NOT required for:
  • Final-year high school students
  • Students applying right after high school

Age Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older when the scholarship starts.
• If 17 at application time, you must turn 18 before semester begins.
• Exception: Samoa Foundation applicants can be 17 at start.
• No upper age limit, but preference for applicants under 40.

Contribution to Home Country

• Must return home after study.
• Must contribute to your country’s social or economic development for at least 2 years.
• Must have lived in your home country for 2 years before applying.
• Preference for applicants who clearly explain how they will contribute.

Previous Scholarship Holders (Alumni Rules)

• Not eligible if:
  • Within 2-year stand-down period after previous Manaaki scholarship.
  • Terminated or downgraded for academic misconduct (5-year restriction).
  • Terminated for inappropriate conduct (permanently banned).
• Those who withdrew for personal reasons:
  • Must wait 2 years before reapplying.

To know More about Eligibility, Visit

Selection Process

Eligible Countries

Eligible Pacific Countries

Two Study Options Available

Option 1: Study in New Zealand

Eligible Countries:

• Fiji (Postgraduate only)
• New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis & Futuna
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Niue
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Palau
• Marshall Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Available Study Levels:

• Undergraduate Degree (3–4 years)
• Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
• Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
• Master’s Degree (1–2 years)
• PhD (3.5 years)

Start Date:

• Semester 1, the year after application submission.

Option 2: Study at a Pacific University (Fiji)

Eligible Countries:

• Kiribati
• Niue
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Available Study Levels:

• Undergraduate Degree (3–4 years)
• Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
• Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
• Master’s Degree (1–2 years)
• PhD (3.5 years)

Start Date:

• Semester 1, the year after application submission.

Special Notes:

• Cook Islands have a separate scholarship managed by their Ministry of Education.
• Tokelau applicants can only apply for Short-Term Training Scholarships.
• Only citizens from eligible countries can apply.

02. Eligible Asian Countries

Eligible Countries:

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Lao PDR
• Malaysia
• Nepal
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Viet Nam

Available Study Levels:

• Undergraduate Degree (Timor-Leste only)
• Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
• Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
• Master’s Degree (1–2 years)
• PhD (3.5 years)

Start Date:

• Semester 1, the year after application submission.

Important Reminder

• Applications are accepted only from eligible countries.
• If your country is not listed, check other New Zealand scholarship opportunities.
• Always check full eligibility criteria before applying.

Required documents for the application

At the application stage, the programme highlights academic documentation and clear, well-prepared information rather than excessive certification. You need to provide:

• Academic records/transcripts showing grades.
• The grading scale of your institution.
• English translations of these documents (if not already in English).

You will also need to prepare detailed written responses in the application form (your development goals, work experience alignment, leadership/problem-solving examples, and why you want to study in New Zealand).

Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship application process (step-by-step)

Here’s a practical step-by-step flow aligned with the official guidance:

1. Check eligibility by completing the online Eligibility Questionnaire (this is required before applying).
2. Confirm your country’s application window and apply only when applications are open (for 2026: open 1 March 2026, close midday 31 March 2026 NZST).​
3. Shortlist your preferred institutions and courses and ensure they progress from your highest qualification.
4. Match your study plan to recommended subjects for your country (you’ll need to explain the connection in your form).
5. Prepare academic documents (transcripts + grading scale + translations) and draft strong written answers (leadership, goals, development impact).
6. Submit your online application before the deadline—don’t wait for the last day because forms can be long and revisions take time.
7. If shortlisted later, be ready for English testing and (for PhD) evidence of supervisor discussions if you reach interview stage.
8.  How to apply for a Scholarship

Tips for a successful application

These tips reflect what the application form and eligibility guidance repeatedly emphasise:

• Write a clear “development story”: explain what skills you’ll gain and how they support your country’s social/economic development.
• Keep your study plan realistic and progressive (don’t jump to an unrelated programme that doesn’t build on prior qualifications).
• Show alignment between your work experience and your proposed course—selection preference is given when there’s a strong match and a plan to continue in that sector afterward.
• Start early: the official guidance warns the form can take weeks or months to complete to a winning standard.
• If applying for PhD, contact supervisors early so you can demonstrate active discussions if needed at interview stage.

Monthly living expenses in New Zealand (USD)

Manaaki is popular partly because living costs in New Zealand can be significant, and budgeting mistakes cause stress even for scholarship students. A practical planning range for an international student’s monthly costs (rent + food + transport + phone/internet + personal items) is often about USD 1,200–2,000 per month, varying heavily by city and lifestyle (Auckland is typically higher than smaller cities).​

Budget tip: Even if you’re fully funded, plan a small emergency buffer for upfront costs (for example, items you might pay first and later get reimbursed where applicable).

Why choose this scholarship? (5+ reasons)

• It’s a New Zealand Government scholarship with a well-known, structured programme and clear eligibility steps (questionnaire → application → selection stages).
• The application focuses strongly on impact and development outcomes, which helps applicants with a genuine public-interest or community-focused career plan stand out.
• You don’t need to submit English test scores at the initial application stage, reducing upfront barriers while still maintaining quality checks later.
• It supports study at New Zealand tertiary institutions, allowing you to choose the institution and courses that best match your goals (within eligible subjects).
• For research degrees, it explicitly guides PhD applicants to engage early with supervisors, which improves research readiness and reduces last-minute confusion.
• The programme provides clear guidance on what documents are and aren’t needed at application time, helping you focus on what actually improves your chances.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1) What is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship 2026 deadline?

For tertiary applications, it opens 1 March 2026 and closes at midday 31 March 2026 (NZST).​

2) Do I need IELTS/TOEFL when I apply?

No—English test scores are not required at the initial application stage for tertiary study; shortlisted candidates must provide scores later in the process.

3) Can I apply without a university admission offer (Letter of Place)?

Yes—at application stage, you don’t need a Letter of Place from a university or education institution.

4) What documents are most important at the beginning?

Academic transcripts/records, the grading scale, and English translations (if needed) are required with your application.

5) Is there an age limit?

You must be 18+ when you start the scholarship, there is no upper age limit, but the programme notes a preference for applicants under 40.

Application Deadline:

The Deadline to apply for the Scholarship 2026 is 31st March 2026 for International Students.

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