The Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships 2025 offer fully funded opportunities for eligible international students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in New Zealand. Managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), it supports students from eligible developing countries to contribute to their home nation’s progress. Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships holders can study at top universities and institutions across New Zealand.
All New Zealand universities are in the top 3% of universities worldwide by QS World University Rankings. Manaaki Scholars receive intensive support from their NZ institutions throughout their scholarship journey as well as enrichment and further learning opportunities. Applications are open from 1 February 2025 to 28 February 2025.
Universities and Institutions:
- Funded By: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
- Host Country: New Zealand
- Universities: 8 Universities in New Zealand
- Degree Level: Bachelors, Masters, PhD, Diploma
- Duration:
- Undergraduate Degree (3-4 years)
- Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
- Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
- Master’s Degree (1-2 years)
- PhD (3.5 years)
Participating Universities:
Eight available universities
QS World University Rankings ranks New Zealand universities in the top 3%. New Zealand universities rank in the world’s top 100 in over 30 subjects.
- Auckland University of Technology
- Lincoln University
- Massey University
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
Three available institutes of technology
- Southern Institute of Technology
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Wintec – Waikato Institute of Technology
Eligible Pacific citizens can choose to study at a Pacific university
Citizens from eligible Pacific countries can also study at one of two approved Pacific universities.
- University of South Pacific
- Fiji National University
Study Areas (Priority Fields)
The Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships focus on fields that contribute to the development of the applicant’s home country. These include:
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Climate Change and Renewable Energy
- Disaster Risk Management
- Private Sector Development
- Public Sector Governance
- Education and Human Resource Development
- Health and Medical Sciences
- Infrastructure and Engineering
Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships Benefits:
- Full Tuition Fees: Covers the entire cost of your chosen program.
- Living Allowance: A stipend of NZ$531 per week to cover daily expenses.
- Establishment Allowance: NZ$3000 to assist with setup costs upon arrival.
- Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage throughout the study period.
- Travel Costs: Includes return airfares and travel insurance.
- Research and Thesis Costs: Financial support for postgraduate research students
- 2 Home Trips: The scholarship accommodates one or two trips home during the scholarship period, depending on its duration, fostering connections with scholars’ home communities.
Benefits Not Included:
- Family Support: The scholarship does not cover expenses for family members.
- Personal Travel: Costs for personal vacations or non-essential travel are excluded.
- Additional Courses: Funding for courses outside the approved study program is not provided.
Eligibility Requirements for Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships
Age Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years old when the scholarship begins.
- If you apply at 17, you must turn 18 before starting your program.
- Exception for Samoa: Samoa Foundation applicants can start at 17 years old.
- No upper age limit, but preference is given to applicants under 40.
Work Experience Requirements
- One year of full-time work (30+ hours per week) OR
- Two years of part-time work (up to 29 hours per week).
- Work experience can be paid, unpaid, or voluntary.
- Preference for applicants whose study aligns with their work experience and plan to work in the same sector after graduation.
- No work experience required for:
- High school final-year students.
- Those applying immediately after high school.
- Those currently employed.
Academic & English Requirements
Minimum English Requirements (can vary by university & course):
✔ Postgraduate:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0
- TOEFL (iBT): 90, writing score 21
- PTE Academic: 58, no score below 50
- Cambridge Advanced: 176 overall, no band below 169
✔ Undergraduate:
- IELTS: 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5
- TOEFL (iBT): 80, writing score 21
- PTE Academic: 50, no score below 42
- Cambridge Advanced: 169 overall, no band below 162
English Test Submission:
- Not required at the time of application.
- Required only for shortlisted candidates.
- If shortlisted, you must arrange and pay for the test (unless in certain Pacific/Asian countries where Manaaki covers IELTS fees).
- The New Zealand Government pays for IELTS tests for shortlisted applicants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Nauru, New Caledonia, North Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Samoa (except Samoa Foundation), Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
- Applicants from other countries must pay for their own English test
English Language Training:
- Possible coverage for candidates close to the required English level.
- Duration varies:
- Up to one year: Pacific & Timor-Leste candidates.
- Up to one year (home country): Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia.
- Up to one semester: All other eligible countries.
- Not available for PhD applicants.
- Scholars must contribute to their country’s development
- Applicants must have resided in their home country for two years prior to applying.
Eligibility for Applicants with a Previous Manaaki Scholarship
- Not eligible if within the two-year stand-down period after completing a Manaaki tertiary scholarship.
- Not eligible for five years if:
- Scholarship was terminated or downgraded due to academic reasons.
- Returned home without completing the qualification.
- Not eligible for two years if:
- Withdrew due to personal circumstances after accepting the scholarship.
- Scholarship was downgraded on personal grounds.
- Permanently ineligible if scholarship was terminated due to inappropriate conduct.
- Applicants with a previous Manaaki ELTO or Short-Term Training Scholarship must wait until their stand-down period is over before applying.
Immigration and Visa Requirements for Scholars
- Check visa requirements before applying for the scholarship.
- Apply for a visa only after accepting the scholarship offer.
- Visa processing takes 2–3 months and requires a medical check.
- If the visa is not approved, the scholarship will be withdrawn.
Visa Requirements
- New Zealand study: Apply through New Zealand Immigration.
- Pacific university study: Check visa requirements for Fiji or Vanuatu.
Visa Costs Covered (Reimbursed if receipts are provided)
✔️ Visa application fee & immigration levy
✔️ One immigration medical check fee
List of Eligible Countries for Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships:
- Pacific Countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji (postgraduate only), Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
- Level of Studies Available: Undergraduate Degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, Ph.D.
- Asian Countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar*, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives.
- Level of Studies Available: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, PhD.
- African Countries: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leonne, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- Level of Studies Available: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, PhD.
- Caribbean Countries: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname.
- Level of Studies Available: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, PhD.
- Latin American Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.
- Level of Studies Available: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, PhD.
Required Documents:
- Degree Certificate – Certified copy (with translation if not in English)
- Academic Transcripts – Certified copy (with translation if needed)
- Citizenship Proof – Certified copy of passport or national ID
- Birth Certificate – Certified copy (with translation if needed)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Updated professional and academic details
- Referee Reports – At least one academic and one professional/personal
- English Test Score – Certified copy (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- PhD Applicants Only – Proof of support from a potential supervisor
- Health Certificate – Medical clearance for study in New Zealand
Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarships Application Process
Follow these steps to apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Government Scholarship:
- Check Eligibility
- Complete the online eligibility test on the official website.
- Create an Account
- If eligible, register for a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship account.
- Fill Out the Online Application Form
- Provide accurate personal, academic, and professional details.
- Choose a study program that aligns with priority areas.
- Upload Required Documents
- Academic transcripts, proof of citizenship, English test scores, CV, and references.
- Submit the Application
- Ensure all details are correct before submitting before the deadline.
- Wait for Selection Results
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview or further assessment.
Tips for a Successful Application:
- Start Early: Begin the application process as soon as possible to avoid last-minute issues.
- Align with Priority Sectors: Choose study programs that match the scholarship’s priority areas.
- Clear and Concise Answers: Ensure your responses are well-structured and within character limits.
- Proofread: Check for grammatical errors and clarity.
- Authenticity: Submit original work; plagiarism will lead to disqualification.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in New Zealand
While the scholarship provides a living allowance of NZ$531 per week, students should be aware of additional expenses:
- Accommodation: NZ$800–NZ$1,500 per month (varies by city and type)
- Food & Groceries: NZ$400–NZ$600 per month
- Public Transport: NZ$100–NZ$200 per month
- Utilities & Internet: NZ$150–NZ$250 per month
- Personal Expenses (Entertainment, Clothing, etc.): NZ$200–NZ$400 per month
Total estimated cost: NZ$1,500–NZ$2,500 per month, depending on lifestyle and location.
Why Choose This Opportunity?
Studying in New Zealand under the Manaaki Scholarship offers a world-class education, exposure to a diverse culture, and the chance to contribute to your home country’s development upon graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship?
- Citizens from eligible developing countries (check the official list).
- Do I need an English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL)?
- Yes, most universities require proof of English proficiency.
- Can I apply for any program?
- No, you must choose a program aligned with New Zealand’s priority study areas.
- Does the scholarship cover family expenses?
- No, it only supports the student. Family expenses are not included.
- How competitive is this scholarship?
- Very competitive; strong academic records, leadership skills, and a clear development impact plan increase your chances.
Official Link for More Details and Application:
For comprehensive information and to apply, visit the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website:
