Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship 2026: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

What is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship?

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is a New Zealand Government scholarship that lets international students study full time at a New Zealand education institution or a Pacific university. The award covers tuition, living costs and other expenses. It is open to eligible students from selected countries in Asia and the Pacific.

Scholars can study at one of eight New Zealand universities or three institutes of technology. Pacific scholars may also study at one of two universities in Fiji. The full listing is on our Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for International Students page.

What does the scholarship pay for?

The award is fully funded. According to the official listing, it includes:

• Full tuition fees
• A living allowance of NZ$615 per week
• An establishment allowance of NZ$3000
• Medical and travel insurance
• Travel to and from your own country and New Zealand at the start and end of your scholarship
• Travel home during your scholarship
• Help with research and thesis costs for many postgraduate students

The Policy Handbook on the official site has the full list of benefits.

Which countries and levels are eligible?

Citizens of selected countries in the Pacific and Asia can apply. The eligible Pacific countries are Fiji (postgraduate only), French Pacific (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna), Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, North Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands), Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The eligible Asian countries are Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. Cook Island scholars have their own scholarship managed by the Cook Islands Ministry of Education and funded by the New Zealand Government, and Tokelau scholars are currently only eligible for Short Term Training Scholarships.

Levels of study available

• Undergraduate degree (3 to 4 years), Timor-Leste only for Asian countries
• Postgraduate certificate (6 months)
• Postgraduate diploma (1 year)
• Master's degree (1 to 2 years)
• PhD (3.5 years)

Who qualifies: age, academic and English requirements

You must be 18 years old or older when you start your scholarship. If you are 17 when you apply, you must turn 18 before you start in semester one. Scholars from Samoa can be 17 when they commence. There is no upper age limit, but applicants under 40 are preferred for New Zealand Scholarships for university or tertiary students.

Academic and English requirements

You choose your preferred institution and courses when you apply. You do not need to apply for admission until you are notified that you are a preferred candidate. Course entry requirements are set by each institution, so check their website before you apply. For postgraduate study, institutions generally ask for at least an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0, or a TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based test.

PhD applicants

PhD applicants should look for and email suitable supervisors at New Zealand universities early. Those who reach the interview stage must show evidence that they have secured a supervisor or are in active discussions with a potential one.

Deadline and timeline

The deadline is 31 March 2026, 12.00pm (midday). Applications are currently closed. The process differs by country or region, and for most countries you apply online using the links for your region.

Check the country-specific pages on the official website for your own timeline.

How to apply step by step

1. Check that your country is on the eligible list and that your subject relates to your country's development needs.
2. Read the preferred subjects for your country on the official site.
3. Check the minimum academic and English requirements on your chosen institution's website.
4. If you are applying for a PhD, find and email suitable supervisors early.
5. Open the country-specific page on the official website and use the online application link for your region.
6. Upload a copy of your academic transcript for your qualification, including the grading scale.
7. Submit before 31 March 2026, 12.00pm (midday).
8. If shortlisted, send verified English-translated copies of your transcripts and completion certificates.

You can also browse the current openings in New Zealand to compare options.

Documents you need

• Academic transcript for your qualification, including the grading scale
• Verified English-translated transcripts and completion certificates if you are shortlisted
• Evidence of English proficiency, as required by your chosen institution
• For PhD applicants, evidence of a secured supervisor or active discussions at interview stage
• Student visa documents, as required for study in New Zealand

The official website lists any additional country-specific documents.

How selection works

Selection starts with your online application and your academic record. Shortlisted applicants are asked for verified English-translated documents. Preferred candidates are then notified and apply for admission to their chosen institution and courses. PhD applicants who reach interview stage must show supervisor evidence. The official site has the current selection details for your country.

Who it suits and who should look elsewhere

This scholarship suits citizens of the eligible Asian and Pacific countries who want a fully funded degree in New Zealand or at a Pacific university and whose subject connects to their country's development needs, such as renewable energy, agriculture development, disaster risk management, private sector development or public sector development.

It is a weaker fit if your country is not on the eligible list, if you want to study part time or by distance, or if your subject does not relate to your country's priorities. Cook Island scholars should use their own scholarship, and Tokelau scholars are currently limited to Short Term Training Scholarships. If you are set on the UK, Australia or Canada, compare our Scholarships in United Kingdom and Scholarships in Australia pages.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without checking that your country and level are eligible.
• Choosing a subject that does not relate to your country's development needs.
• Leaving the transcript or grading scale out of your upload.
• Missing the 12.00pm midday cut-off on 31 March 2026.
• For PhD applicants, waiting until the interview to contact supervisors.
• Assuming you must apply for admission before you are a preferred candidate.

Other New Zealand scholarships to compare

Two related programmes appear in our listings. The New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships fund PhD study at participating New Zealand universities, with tuition, a stipend and medical insurance. The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholar Awards support postgraduate study for students from Southeast Asian countries. Both are archived past rounds, so the official site has the current dates and amounts.

For more options, see Scholarships in New Zealand and our all guides.