New Zealand Government Scholarships provide eligible international students and professionals with funded opportunities to study or complete specialized training through New Zealand’s official Manaaki scholarship programme.
The main tertiary scholarship can support undergraduate or postgraduate study, but availability depends on citizenship, study level, development priorities, academic eligibility, and the subjects approved for each participating country.
What Are New Zealand Government Scholarships?
The main government-funded programme for international students is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme.
It is designed primarily for citizens of eligible developing and partner countries who can use their education to contribute to their home country after completing their studies.
The programme is broader than one university scholarship.
Depending on the applicant’s country and profile, Manaaki opportunities may include:
- Full undergraduate study.
- Postgraduate diploma or degree study.
- Master’s degree programmes.
- Eligible doctoral study.
- Vocational short-term training.
- Professional skills programmes.
- Thematic training for selected sectors.
- English-language training for eligible government officials.
The official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website is the primary place applicants should use to identify the scholarship route available to their citizenship.
An important point is that eligibility is country-specific.
A study level available to applicants from one country may not necessarily be offered to applicants from another country.
Main Scholarship Options
| Scholarship route | Typical purpose | Who it is mainly for | Study format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tertiary Scholarship | Complete an academic qualification | Eligible international students | Full-time study |
| Vocational Short-Term Training | Develop practical workplace skills | Eligible professionals and workers | Short training |
| Thematic Training | Develop skills in priority sectors | Professionals from participating countries | Short course or cohort training |
| English Language Training for Officials | Improve professional English | Eligible government officials | Intensive English training |
Students looking for a bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral opportunity should generally focus first on the tertiary Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
A full Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship provides substantial financial support for scholars studying in New Zealand.
The support is intended to remove many of the major financial barriers associated with international study.
Funding for eligible scholars can include:
- Full tuition fees.
- A regular living allowance.
- An establishment allowance.
- Medical insurance while studying in New Zealand.
- Travel from the scholar’s home country.
- Return travel at the end of the scholarship.
- Academic support where required.
- Approved tutoring costs when additional support is necessary.
The establishment allowance helps scholars manage initial costs after arrival.
Depending on individual circumstances, these costs may include accommodation-related expenses, textbooks, or essential study materials.
The official Manaaki guidance on financial support and scholarship conditions explains the support provided to scholars and their responsibilities while receiving the award.
Some visa-related and medical expenses may also be reimbursable under the programme’s rules.
Applicants should retain receipts when instructed because reimbursement requirements can differ depending on the expense.
The scholarship should therefore be viewed as comprehensive funding rather than simply a tuition-fee waiver.
Who Can Apply for New Zealand Government Scholarships?
Manaaki scholarships are not open automatically to every international student.
The applicant must first be a citizen of an eligible country and satisfy the requirements applicable to that country.
Important eligibility factors include:
- Citizenship.
- Residence in the home country.
- Age.
- Previous scholarship history.
- Work experience where required.
- Proposed field of study.
- Intended qualification level.
- Academic suitability.
- English-language ability.
- Ability to meet immigration requirements.
Applicants generally need to be at least 18 when signing the scholarship offer.
There is no general maximum age stated by the programme, although preference may be given to applicants below 40.
Residency is another important condition.
Applicants generally need to have lived in their country of citizenship for at least two years before applying, although specific exceptions exist, including certain overseas study and diplomatic circumstances.
Applicants should use the official Manaaki eligibility criteria checker and guidance before preparing a full application.
Checking eligibility first can prevent applicants from spending time researching degrees that cannot be funded under the programme.
Work Experience Requirements
Work experience is particularly important for postgraduate applicants because the scholarship is strongly connected to professional development and the future development of the applicant’s home country.
Postgraduate candidates generally need:
- At least one year of full-time work experience; or
- At least two years of part-time work experience.
The programme treats relevant work experience broadly.
Depending on the circumstances, qualifying experience can include:
- Paid employment.
- Unpaid employment.
- Volunteer experience.
- Professional sector experience.
- Development-focused work.
- Relevant community activities.
However, simply having employment experience does not automatically make an application competitive.
Applicants should demonstrate a logical connection between their previous experience, proposed qualification, and future professional plans.
For example, an environmental officer applying for a master’s programme in climate adaptation has a clearer development pathway than an applicant choosing an unrelated degree without explaining how the programme supports their career or country’s needs.
Some applicants entering higher education directly after secondary school may not be subject to the same work-experience expectation.
Eligible Degrees and Fields of Study
One of the most important features of New Zealand Government Scholarships is that applicants cannot necessarily choose any degree they want.
Manaaki identifies priority fields according to the social and economic development needs of participating countries.
Possible priority areas can include:
- Climate resilience.
- Environmental studies.
- Agriculture.
- Renewable energy.
- Engineering.
- Economic development.
- Business and management.
- Public-sector development.
- Governance.
- Education.
- Law and justice.
- Social development.
The exact list varies substantially by country.
For example, one country may receive postgraduate opportunities focused on environmental sustainability and economic resilience, while another may have undergraduate and postgraduate options across a wider selection of disciplines.
Applicants should therefore choose a programme only after checking three things:
- The qualification level available to their country.
- The priority sectors applicable to their country.
- The courses offered by approved institutions.
Selecting a degree merely because it is popular can weaken an application if it does not correspond to an approved development priority.
A stronger application explains exactly how the selected programme will provide skills that address a real issue in the applicant’s country.
Academic and English Language Requirements
Applicants must eventually meet the admission requirements established by the New Zealand institution offering their preferred programme.
Academic requirements can differ significantly between courses.
Universities may consider:
- Previous qualifications.
- Academic grades.
- Relevant subjects studied.
- Professional background.
- Research experience.
- Programme prerequisites.
- Research proposals for relevant degrees.
Applicants should therefore research the entry requirements of their intended programme before listing it as a study preference.
English requirements are also determined by the education institution.
As a general guide, postgraduate admission commonly expects an English level around IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, while undergraduate study commonly expects approximately IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5.
Equivalent results may be accepted through tests such as:
- IELTS.
- TOEFL iBT.
- PTE Academic.
- Cambridge English qualifications accepted by the institution.
These are general indications rather than guaranteed admission thresholds.
Individual programmes may require a higher level.
One useful feature of the Manaaki process is that applicants for tertiary scholarships generally do not need to provide an English-language test result with the initial scholarship application.
English testing becomes particularly relevant for shortlisted candidates.
Applicants should still assess their English ability early because receiving scholarship consideration does not remove the university’s academic or language admission requirements.
How to Choose the Right Course
Course selection should be approached as part of the scholarship strategy rather than as a separate university decision.
A strong programme choice connects four elements:
- Your previous education.
- Your professional experience.
- A development challenge in your country.
- Skills provided by the proposed qualification.
Suppose an applicant works in agricultural development and their country identifies food security and climate resilience as priority areas.
A relevant study plan might focus on:
- Sustainable agriculture.
- Agricultural economics.
- Environmental management.
- Food systems.
- Climate adaptation.
- Agribusiness development.
The applicant could then explain how the qualification would help improve agricultural programmes or policy after returning home.
A weaker strategy would be to select an unrelated programme simply because the university or subject appears attractive.
When comparing programmes, applicants should examine:
- Curriculum content.
- Entry requirements.
- Qualification level.
- Research opportunities.
- Practical training.
- Relevance to national development.
- Alignment with current professional experience.
Doctoral applicants have an additional consideration.
Candidates intending to pursue a PhD should begin identifying appropriate academic supervisors early.
Applicants who progress in the selection process may need to demonstrate that they have secured a supervisor or are actively communicating with a potential supervisor.
How to Apply for a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship
The scholarship application process begins with eligibility rather than university admission.
Applicants should first establish that their citizenship and proposed study route qualify for Manaaki funding.
A practical application sequence is:
- Check whether your country is eligible.
- Identify the qualification levels available to your country.
- Review the recommended study sectors.
- Confirm that you meet the basic eligibility requirements.
- Research appropriate courses.
- Check academic admission requirements.
- Prepare your scholarship application.
- Explain your development objectives clearly.
- Submit through the official application system.
- Monitor your email for selection updates.
Applicants generally do not need to secure university admission before submitting the initial scholarship application.
Instead, candidates should research their preferred institutions and programmes carefully and confirm that they are reasonably likely to meet the entry requirements.
Applicants who become preferred scholarship candidates may later be instructed to proceed with the formal institutional admission process.
This arrangement prevents students from unnecessarily completing multiple university applications before knowing whether they have progressed sufficiently in the scholarship competition.
What the Selection Committee Looks For
Academic achievement matters, but Manaaki is not designed simply to identify the applicant with the highest grades.
The programme has a development-focused purpose.
Competitive applicants normally need to demonstrate:
- Academic ability.
- Relevant professional experience.
- Clear career objectives.
- Leadership potential.
- Commitment to their community.
- Appropriate course selection.
- Understanding of their country’s development needs.
- Ability to apply new skills after graduation.
- Realistic professional plans.
- Strong motivation for the proposed study.
Applicants should therefore avoid writing generic statements such as, “I want to study in New Zealand because its universities offer excellent education.”
That statement explains very little about why the government should invest in the applicant.
A stronger explanation might show that the candidate works in renewable-energy project development, needs advanced project-management and technical skills, and plans to apply those skills to energy projects after returning home.
Selection can involve several stages.
Depending on the scholarship process, applicants may undergo:
- Eligibility screening.
- Application assessment.
- Course-alignment assessment.
- Psychometric assessment.
- Interviews.
- Academic admission checks.
- English-language assessment.
- Final scholarship consideration.
Candidates should monitor the email address used in their application carefully throughout the process.
Writing a Strong Scholarship Application
The strongest applications usually tell one consistent professional story.
Your education, experience, proposed course, development objective, and post-study plan should reinforce each other.
Before writing, prepare short notes covering:
- What problem do you want to address?
- Why is that problem important?
- What experience do you already have?
- Which skills are you missing?
- How will the proposed course provide those skills?
- What will you do after graduating?
- Who could benefit from your work?
- How will you transfer your new knowledge?
Use concrete examples wherever possible.
For example, instead of saying:
“I want to help my country develop.”
Explain the sector, problem, and intended contribution.
A candidate working in disaster management could describe gaps in local resilience planning, identify the specific technical skills they need, and explain how those skills could later be applied through government, community, or development programmes.
Applicants should also avoid exaggerating their role.
A credible description of a small project you genuinely contributed to is more useful than an unsupported claim that you transformed an entire organisation.
Before submitting, check that your answers demonstrate:
- A clear professional direction.
- Evidence of previous involvement.
- A realistic development goal.
- Logical course selection.
- Specific expected skills.
- Practical plans for returning home.
- Consistency throughout the application.
Every major claim in the application should support the same overall argument: the scholarship will provide skills that the applicant can realistically use for meaningful development work.
Responsibilities After Receiving the Scholarship
Receiving a New Zealand Government Scholarship also creates responsibilities.
Scholars are expected to concentrate on their approved programme and satisfy the academic and behavioural requirements attached to their scholarship.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Attending required classes.
- Completing assignments.
- Sitting required examinations.
- Meeting academic requirements.
- Following institutional policies.
- Complying with scholarship conditions.
- Maintaining appropriate conduct.
- Completing the programme within the approved period.
The development objective continues after graduation.
Manaaki generally expects scholars to return to their home country and contribute to its social or economic development for at least two years after completing their scholarship.
Applicants should consider this requirement before applying.
The programme is therefore most appropriate for candidates who have a genuine plan to return and use their education within their country, professional sector, or community.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Many scholarship applications become weaker because the applicant focuses heavily on the financial benefits and pays too little attention to the purpose of the programme.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Choosing a field outside your country’s priorities.
- Applying without checking citizenship eligibility.
- Selecting an inappropriate study level.
- Writing generic motivation statements.
- Failing to connect study with development needs.
- Ignoring university admission requirements.
- Exaggerating work experience.
- Giving inconsistent career plans.
- Copying generic scholarship answers.
- Leaving the application until the final submission period.
Another common mistake is treating several unrelated degrees as interchangeable choices.
Your preferred courses should normally support the same professional direction.
If one choice is environmental engineering, another is marketing, and another is international relations, the selection committee may struggle to understand your actual professional objective.
A focused application is usually easier to justify.
Conclusion
New Zealand Government Scholarships can provide extensive financial support for eligible students who have a clear academic and development-focused plan.
Before applying, confirm your country’s eligibility, identify the study levels and subjects available to you, select a programme that builds logically on your background, and explain how you intend to use the qualification after returning home.
The most effective Manaaki application is not simply a request for funded education; it demonstrates a credible link between education, professional development, and a practical contribution to the applicant’s country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the New Zealand Government Scholarship fully funded?
The full Manaaki tertiary scholarship provides major financial support including tuition fees, a living allowance, establishment support, medical insurance, and eligible travel costs.
The precise support provided depends on the scholarship conditions applicable to the scholar.
What is the official New Zealand Government Scholarship called?
The principal government scholarship programme for eligible international applicants is called the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme.
It includes full tertiary scholarships as well as several short-term training opportunities.
Can international students from any country apply?
No.
Eligibility is restricted to participating countries and territories.
Applicants should check their citizenship through the official eligibility system before researching programmes or preparing an application.
Can I apply for a bachelor’s degree?
Undergraduate scholarships are available to applicants from certain participating countries, but not every eligible country receives undergraduate opportunities.
Your country-specific scholarship information determines which qualification levels you can select.
Can I apply for a master’s degree?
Postgraduate study is available to applicants from a range of eligible countries.
Candidates must meet the scholarship requirements as well as the academic entry requirements of their selected institution.
Are PhD scholarships available?
Doctoral study is available in some country-specific scholarship pathways.
PhD applicants should research potential supervisors early because candidates progressing through selection may need evidence that they have secured a supervisor or are communicating with an appropriate academic.
Do I need IELTS before applying?
Applicants for Manaaki tertiary scholarships generally do not need to submit an English-language test result with the initial scholarship application.
Shortlisted candidates may later need to provide an accepted English-language test result and must ultimately satisfy their education institution’s language requirements.
Do I need university admission before applying for the scholarship?
Generally, applicants do not initially apply for admission to their preferred New Zealand institution before submitting the scholarship application.
Candidates who progress to preferred-candidate status receive further instructions regarding institutional admission.
Is work experience required?
Relevant work experience is generally required for postgraduate applicants, with the standard requirement based on either full-time or part-time experience.
Certain applicants progressing directly from secondary education are treated differently under the eligibility rules.
Do scholars have to return home after graduation?
Yes.
A central purpose of the Manaaki programme is to support development in participating countries.
Tertiary scholars are generally expected to return home and contribute to their country’s social or economic development for at least two years after completing their scholarship.
Man, I remember when I first looked into these scholarships—thought it was just about tuition, but the way they cover living costs and travel too makes a real difference for someone like me who’d be coming from a tight budget. One thing I’d love to know though: how competitive is it really for applicants from smaller eligible countries, or do they spread the spots evenly? Seems like a solid path if you’re willing to put in the paperwork grind, but I’d want to hear from someone who actually got one about the hidden challenges.
Great question, Tane. From my own experience, they do try to keep a balance across countries, but it’s tight—I’m from a smaller eligible nation and I know only a handful of us got through in my year. The hidden challenge for me wasn’t the paperwork but the interview, where they really pressed me on how I’d stay connected to home while studying abroad, which caught me off guard. If you’re serious, start building those local ties early, because that’s where most people slip.
Oh, fantastic—so even after you jump through all the hoops, they ambush you in the interview about staying connected? That’s exactly the sort of “we expected you to read our minds” hurdle that makes these applications feel like a side quest in a video game with no save points. Solid advice on the local ties, though; I’ll start working on a dramatic slide deck about my love for my hometown’s one decent café.
They do try to balance spots across eligible countries, but “balanced” doesn’t mean equal—smaller nations might only get a handful of slots per year, so it’s still razor-thin competition. The real hidden challenge isn’t the paperwork; it’s proving your studies will directly benefit your home community, which caught me off guard during the interview. If you’re serious, start mapping out that local impact angle now, because a solid plan there matters just as much as your grades.
Mate, I’m from a smaller country myself and only a few of us made it through my year, so it’s tight but doable if you lean hard into the local impact angle. The real hidden challenge for me wasn’t the paperwork but proving I’d stay tied to my community while overseas—they grilled me on that in the interview. If you start building those local connections now, you’ll be way ahead of most applicants.
Honestly, the competition from smaller countries is rough—I’m from one, and I think only about four of us got through in my year. They don’t spread the spots evenly, so you’re really fighting for a handful of places. The hidden challenge that nearly tripped me up was the interview, where they grilled me on how I’d stay connected to my community back home while studying abroad.
Ah, Tane Ruru’s comment really hits home. My cousin from Rotorua applied for one of these a few years back, and she said the hardest part wasn’t the grades or the form-filling—it was proving how her studies would actually give back to our local community. Do you find that the “home impact” part of the application weighs heavier than your academic record for most successful candidates?
Honestly, what Tui Henderson mentioned about “home impact” is exactly where I nearly tripped up. I had the grades and the plan, but it took me weeks to really articulate how my degree in environmental science would solve a tangible problem back in my village. For me, the competitive edge came from getting a local council member to co-sign a letter confirming the community need—so it’s less about how well you write and more about how real your link is to home. Just a heads-up: start that conversation with a mentor or local leader long before the deadline.
Honestly, Thandi Ndlovu’s tip about the co-signed letter from a local council member is gold—I wish I’d known that when I applied. I spent weeks tweaking my personal statement, but looking back, the real proof of community need is what they’re after. For anyone reading this, did you find that getting that kind of local backing made a bigger difference than your academic transcripts in the final decision?
Oh, this is brilliant timing—I’ve been staring at the Manaaki application page for a week now, and the “home impact” part is honestly what’s making me freeze up. Thandi’s tip about getting a local council letter is a game-changer, because I was just planning to write a heartfelt paragraph about my grandma’s farm. Quick question for anyone who’s been through it: do they let you submit that local backing letter after the main deadline, or does everything have to be bundled in at once?