Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for International Students: A Complete Guide Here

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships have fully funded scholarships that are available for international students to study undergraduate and postgraduate courses in New Zealand. The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are introduced to increase the skills, training, and knowledge of students and to build their capacity to contribute to sustainable development in the home country. The scholarships can be availed by all students from developing countries. However, priority will be given to students who want to pursue courses that are listed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Keep reading to know more about the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship eligibility criteria, benefits, and the application process.

Scholarship Name	Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
Eligibility Criteria	Be at least 18 years of age when starting the scholarship (no upper age limit, but preference given to those under 40), meet the visa requirements, English eligibility requirements, and have work experience for postgraduate courses
Eligible Countries	Citizens of eligible Pacific and Southeast Asia partner countries: Fiji (postgraduate only), Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, North Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands), Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu (for study in NZ); plus Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.
Scholarship Benefits	Cover full tuition fee, living allowance, establishment allowance, travel expenses, and vaccination expenses, among others.

Types of Manaaki Scholarships for International Students

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships provide a variety of fully funded opportunities tailored to different educational and professional goals. These scholarships are designed to help international students and professionals gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to support sustainable development in their home countries.

There are several types of Manaaki Scholarships available, each focusing on specific learning and training outcomes:

Scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study	Full tertiary scholarships for International students to study full-time in New Zealand or Pacific education institution
Short-term Training Scholarships for citizens of Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste	Short-term scholarships offered to students from eligible countries for skills training and on-the-job work experience. Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu) and Timor-Leste; aimed at mid-career professionals in priority sectors.
Thematic Short-Term Training Scholarships for citizens of Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste	Short scholarships (typically 4-12 weeks) for cohort-based skills training, developed to address common skills gaps across regions.
English Language Training for Officials Scholarships (NZELTO)	Short scholarships (up to 12 weeks) for government officials to undertake English language training in New Zealand.

List of Universities Offering Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are offered through some of the country’s leading universities, each known for academic excellence, global recognition, and programs that align with New Zealand’s priority development areas. The list of universities and their descriptions is as follows:

List of Universities Offering Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships	Description of the Offered Scholarships
The University of Auckland	Offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in priority disciplines such as agriculture, health, and education.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)	Known for its industry-focused and practical learning approach; welcomes a large number of Manaaki scholars each year.
University of Waikato	Renowned for its expertise in Māori and Pacific studies, environmental science, and education.
Massey University	Specialises in agriculture, land, and environmental management; well-suited for studies in sustainable development.
Victoria University of Wellington	Offers strong programs in law, international relations, and public policy (note: Bachelor of Laws not available for some regions).
University of Canterbury	Focuses on engineering, disaster risk management, and sciences; certain program restrictions apply (e.g., no Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) for Pacific students).
Lincoln University	Specializes in agriculture, land, and environmental management; well-suited for studies in sustainable development.
The University of Otago	Recognised for excellence in agriculture, veterinary science, and business; operates across multiple campuses.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Eligibility Requirements 

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship eligibility depends on several factors such as the applicant’s age, country of citizenship, work experience, and whether New Zealand offers scholarships in the applicant’s home country. Below are the updated eligibility criteria for students. Interested applicants are advised to verify the complete details on the official website.

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of starting the scholarship. (An exception applies for the Samoa Foundation intake, where applicants can be 17 years old when they commence.)
• There is no maximum age limit, though preference is given to applicants below 40 years of age.
• Must meet student visa requirements as outlined on the New Zealand immigration website.
• Must meet the English language requirements specified for the chosen course.
• Scholars should be committed to contributing to their home country’s development for a minimum of two years after completing their studies.
• Applicants for postgraduate scholarships must have relevant work experience, either one year of full-time work (30 hours or more per week) or two years of part-time work (up to 29 hours per week). This experience may be paid, unpaid, or voluntary.
• Work experience is not required for applicants currently in their final year of high school, those applying immediately after completing high school, or those already in paid/unpaid employment.

Also Read: Popular Scholarships for USA September Intake

Countries Eligible for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are available to students from eligible countries. Below is the list of countries that are eligible for the scholarship.

Eligible Regions	Countries Eligible for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships as per the Regions
Pacific Countries	Fiji (postgraduate only), Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, North Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands), Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Southeast Asia Countries	Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Benefits 

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is a fully funded tertiary scholarship designed for international students. It provides comprehensive financial and academic support throughout the study period. The main benefits of this scholarship are as follows:

• Fully funded tertiary scholarship for international students covering all tuition fees for the entire duration of study.
• Weekly living allowance of NZD 531 to cover basic living costs during the study period.
• For online learners, the living allowance is adjusted according to the living expenses in their home country.
• Establishment allowance of NZD 1,000 to help with initial setup expenses after arrival in New Zealand.
• Return airfare between the home country and New Zealand is fully covered by the scholarship.
• Scholars enrolled in programs of more than 1.5 years are eligible for one or two funded home visits, depending on course duration.
• Financial support for Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) is provided if required during travel back to the home country.
• Coverage for COVID-19 vaccination and pre-departure testing costs in both New Zealand and the home country.
• Reintegration allowance of NZD 1,000 to assist with resettlement expenses upon returning home after course completion.

Recommended Research Topics 

Below are the recommended research subjects that can be taken up by students. 

Food Security and Agriculture	Farm management, agri-commerce, dairy systems, agribusiness, agricultural technology, horticulture management, rural development, supply chain management.
Renewable Energy	Renewable energy management, energy distribution systems, energy policy, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind energy, energy science and technology, engineering.
Governance	Renewable energy management, energy distribution systems, energy policy, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind energy, energy science and technology, and engineering.

Also Read: Most Demanding Courses to Pursue in New Zealand

Scholarship Application Process 

The application process is different for new and previous applicants. Those who submitted or started an application before 2018 must reset their password before applying again. For new applicants, follow the steps below:

• Check your eligibility by completing the online eligibility test. If you qualify, note down your eligibility code.
• Register for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship using your email address.
• The system will check if your email has been used before. If not, use your eligibility code to complete registration.
• Fill out the application form in English and make sure to stay within the word limits. Do not copy content from other sources.
• Submit your application before the deadline. Applications for the 2026 intake will open in early 2026 for most countries. The Samoa Foundation round closed in August 2025. Check the official website for the exact dates for your country.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is offered to International students to complete their studies in New Zealand. The scholarships are available for graduation, postgraduation, and higher education programs. The benefits of the scholarships include coverage of tuition expenses, travel expenses, re-establishment expenses, covid test expenses, vaccination expenses, and living expenses.

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