Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships: requirements, benefits and deadline

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, from the New Zealand Government, fund study in New Zealand for citizens of eligible Pacific and Asian countries, to help build prosperity and sustainable growth in their home countries.

Country
New Zealand
Level
Postgraduate certificate to PhD (undergraduate for some countries)
Funding
Fully funded
Next deadline
Next tertiary round not yet announced (applications are closed)

Official website

What it covers

  • Full tuition fees
  • A living allowance
  • Medical insurance while you are in New Zealand
  • Travel from your country at the start of the scholarship and back at the end

Who can apply

  • Be a citizen of an eligible country: Pacific countries, or in Asia Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Viet Nam
  • Be at least 18 when you sign the offer letter; there is no upper age limit, but applicants under 40 are preferred
  • Postgraduate applicants need one year of full-time or two years of part-time work experience (paid, unpaid or voluntary)
  • Have lived in your home country for the two years before applying, and contribute to its development for at least two years after the scholarship

Key dates

Tertiary applications
Closed; the next round is announced on the Manaaki website
Study start
Scholars aim to start in Semester 1 of the year after they apply

How to apply

  1. Check that your country and level of study are eligible.
  2. Complete the online eligibility questionnaire and research courses at the eight New Zealand universities and three institutes of technology.
  3. Apply online when your country’s round is open.
  4. If you become a preferred candidate, apply to your New Zealand institution straight away, then accept the scholarship offer within 14 days.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships cover?

Full tuition fees. A living allowance. Medical insurance while you are in New Zealand. Travel from your country at the start of the scholarship and back at the end.

Who can apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?

Be a citizen of an eligible country: Pacific countries, or in Asia Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Viet Nam. Be at least 18 when you sign the offer letter; there is no upper age limit, but applicants under 40 are preferred. Postgraduate applicants need one year of full-time or two years of part-time work experience (paid, unpaid or voluntary). Have lived in your home country for the two years before applying, and contribute to its development for at least two years after the scholarship.

When is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships deadline?

Next tertiary round not yet announced (applications are closed). Tertiary applications: Closed; the next round is announced on the Manaaki website. Study start: Scholars aim to start in Semester 1 of the year after they apply.

How do I apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?

Check that your country and level of study are eligible. Complete the online eligibility questionnaire and research courses at the eight New Zealand universities and three institutes of technology. Apply online when your country’s round is open. If you become a preferred candidate, apply to your New Zealand institution straight away, then accept the scholarship offer within 14 days.

Sources: Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships: Eligible countries · Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships: Eligibility criteria · Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships: Get ready to start (checked 26 September 2026)

Compare dates across programmes in the scholarship deadlines calendar.

Other scholarship guides