Updated 19 October 2026 | Category: Scholarships (New Zealand)
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are the New Zealand Government’s flagship fully funded awards for students from selected developing countries. They cover tuition, a weekly living allowance, travel and medical insurance, and they are designed so that you return home with new skills to support your country’s development. One thing to know before you read further: the scholarships are limited to citizens of eligible Pacific and Asian countries, and Pakistan, India and Nigeria are not on the list. If you are from one of those countries, jump to the section on alternatives. If you are from an eligible country, the next call is expected to open in March 2027 for study starting in 2028.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funded by | New Zealand Government (NZ Aid Programme) |
| Run by | Education New Zealand, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) |
| Who can apply | Citizens of selected Pacific and Asian countries |
| Level | Undergraduate and postgraduate (varies by country) |
| Study format | Full-time, on campus in New Zealand |
| Funding | Tuition, living allowance, travel, insurance and more |
| Last round | Applications 1 to 31 March 2026, for study starting in 2027 (closed) |
| Next round | Expected from about 1 March 2027, for study starting in 2028 |
Table of Contents
Manaaki Scholarship Eligible Countries
Manaaki scholarships are open only to citizens of the countries below, and applicants must be 18 or older when the scholarship starts (with an exception for Samoa).
Eligible Pacific countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, the North Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands), Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Eligible Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.
The list has narrowed over the years. Older guides say the scheme was open to around 80 countries, so ignore any page that still lists Pakistan, India, Nigeria or most African countries. The scheme is also limited by study level in some countries. For example, one listing says the Asian countries are postgraduate only, apart from Timor-Leste, which also has undergraduate places, so check the rules for your country on the official site.
Not on the List? Here Is the Honest Answer
If you are a citizen of Pakistan, India, Nigeria or any country not shown above, you cannot apply for a Manaaki scholarship. You also cannot become eligible by applying through a New Zealand university or a third party. This is the most common source of wasted applications, so check your citizenship against the official list first.
What Manaaki Scholarships Cover
A full Manaaki scholarship gives scholars comprehensive financial support. Based on current listings, the package includes:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Paid in full |
| Living allowance | NZ$615 per week |
| Establishment allowance | NZ$3,000, to help with set-up costs |
| Medical insurance | Covered while you are in New Zealand |
| Tutoring costs | Covered |
| Travel | Travel expenses to and from New Zealand |
| Reintegration allowance | NZ$1,000 on return home, if eligible |
Amounts are reviewed regularly, so confirm them on the official New Zealand Scholarships website before you plan a budget. Some scholars at New Zealand universities also bring their families, but family support and visa rules vary, so ask the programme before you decide.
What Can You Study?
Scholarships are offered in subject areas that match the development needs of your home country, so not every programme is available to every applicant. The purpose of the scheme is to help scholars build skills for the social and economic development of their country, and the programme expects you to return home after your studies. Read the priority sectors for your country on the official portal before choosing a degree.
After selection, you are generally treated as a preferred recipient and still need admission to a New Zealand university for your chosen programme. Some universities, including Massey and AUT, administer Manaaki scholars and provide pastoral care.
Timeline: When to Apply
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 round (for study in 2027) | Open 1 March 2026, closed 31 March 2026 |
| Next round (for study in 2028) | Expected to open about 1 March 2027 |
| Closing date | Usually the end of March, though one listing shows 10 April 2027, so confirm |
| Selection | Several months after the deadline |
| Study starts | Early 2028 for the next round |
The next dates are expected, not confirmed. Applications are submitted only through the online portal at nzscholarships.govt.nz, and some deadlines are set to a specific local time, so check the exact closing time for your country. Late submissions are not accepted.
How to Apply for New Zealand Scholarships for International Students
- Check your citizenship against the official list of eligible countries.
- Read the rules for your country, including the study levels and priority subjects.
- Choose a programme at a New Zealand university that matches your country’s priority sectors.
- Collect your documents. The portal lists exactly what is required for your country. Expect to provide academic records, identification and evidence that supports your application, so start early.
- Write a strong development-focused statement that explains how you will use your study to help your country.
- Apply through the online portal before the deadline. Physical forms are not available.
- Watch your email. Preferred recipients are then guided through university admission and visa steps.
Need referees or a personal statement? See our guides to a recommendation letter for a scholarship and the English proficiency certificate.
Tips for a Stronger Application
These are our suggestions, not official rules:
- Make the development case clear. The scholarship exists to build skills for your home country, so show your plan to return and use what you learn.
- Match your subject to your country’s priority sectors. An outstanding application in the wrong sector is unlikely to succeed.
- Show work or community experience that supports your goals.
- Prepare English evidence early, since your university will set its own English requirement. Check it before you pay for any test.
- Apply early. Portals close at a fixed time with no exceptions.
If Your Country Is Not Eligible
Students from countries like Pakistan, India and Nigeria still have options, though no New Zealand award matches Manaaki’s full funding:
- University-funded awards. New Zealand universities run their own scholarships for international students, which are the most realistic route for students from non-eligible countries. Check each university’s scholarship page and its deadlines.
- Doctoral scholarships. Some New Zealand doctoral awards are open to students from any country, so check them if you plan a PhD.
- Fully funded options elsewhere. Compare fully funded scholarships in 2026, scholarships without application fee and IELTS and our list of graduate scholarships for international students.
- Plan your dates with our scholarship deadlines hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships? They are fully funded New Zealand Government scholarships for citizens of selected Pacific and Asian countries to study in New Zealand. They are funded by the NZ Aid Programme and run by Education New Zealand with MFAT.
Can Pakistani, Indian or Nigerian students apply? No. These countries are not on the current eligible list. The scheme is limited to selected Pacific and Asian countries.
Which countries are eligible? The Pacific list includes Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, the North Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The Asian list includes Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.
Are the Manaaki scholarships fully funded? Yes. They cover tuition, a living allowance, an establishment allowance, medical insurance, tutoring costs, travel and a reintegration allowance, according to current listings. Confirm the amounts on the official site.
When do applications open? The 2026 round ran from 1 to 31 March 2026 for study in 2027. The next round is expected to open around March 2027 for study in 2028, but the dates are not confirmed.
What study levels are covered? Undergraduate and postgraduate study, depending on your country. Some countries are limited to postgraduate study, so check the rules for yours.
Do I need IELTS? The New Zealand university you apply to sets its own English requirement, so check the programme page. Do not pay for a test until you know what your university accepts.
Do I have to return home after my studies? The scheme is designed for scholars to return and contribute to their country’s development, and it includes a reintegration allowance. Read the conditions in your award terms.
Conclusion
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are among the most generous government awards for study in New Zealand, but they are only for citizens of eligible Pacific and Asian countries. Check your citizenship first, then prepare early for the next round, which is expected to open in March 2027. If your country is not on the list, use the alternatives above and compare the other fully funded awards on our site.
Related Reading
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- Schengen scholarships
- Wageningen Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund
- Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship
- Top 25 fully funded scholarships for developing countries
- 50+ fully funded scholarships guide
- Scholarship deadlines: apply now