Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded for International Students

If you have been looking for a fully funded scholarship to study in New Zealand, the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is one of the best government-funded opportunities you will find. It is offered by the New Zealand government, administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and supported by Education New Zealand. It is designed for students from eligible developing countries in Asia and the Pacific who want to gain a world-class education, build leadership skills, and then return home to contribute to the development of their communities and nations.

This scholarship is not just about paying your tuition fees. It covers almost every aspect of your life as a student in New Zealand, from your living expenses and accommodation setup costs to your medical insurance and international travel. And beyond the financial support, being a Manaaki scholar means you become part of a global network of leaders, changemakers, and professionals who share a deep connection to Aotearoa New Zealand and to each other.

In this complete guide, we are going to cover everything you need to know about the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship in 2026. That includes the scholarship’s background and purpose, the full list of benefits, eligible countries, eligible institutions, available study levels and subjects, eligibility requirements, required documents, the selection process, a step-by-step application guide, and answers to the most frequently asked questions. By the time you finish reading, you will be fully prepared to put together a strong application.

What is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship?

The word “Manaaki” comes from the Maori language and reflects a core cultural value in New Zealand. Manaakitanga refers to the act of showing respect, generosity, and care for others. It is about hosting people with warmth and dignity and honoring the relationship between host and guest. This value sits at the heart of the scholarship programme, which is built on the idea that New Zealand can uplift partner countries by investing in the education of their future leaders and professionals.

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme is funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme. It is administered by Education New Zealand in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The purpose is for candidates to gain knowledge and skills through their study in specific subject areas that will assist in the development of their home country.

The scholarship is not a general academic award open to anyone in the world. It is a development-focused programme targeted at citizens of specific partner countries. Awardees are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply their new skills and knowledge in government, civil society, or private business organisations. This return obligation is central to the scholarship’s mission. It is not just about giving students a good education. It is about creating a pipeline of skilled, globally educated professionals who go back and build stronger institutions, healthier economies, and more resilient communities in their home countries.

The programme has been running for many years and has produced scholars from dozens of countries who are now working in senior roles in government, healthcare, agriculture, environmental management, engineering, and business. When you apply for this scholarship, you are not just applying for funding. You are applying to join a community of leaders that spans the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship 2026 – Key Details

Before going into detail, here is a quick summary of the key information for the 2026 application cycle. Tertiary applications for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme will open at midnight on 1 March 2026 and close at midday on 10 April 2026. The scholarship is available for undergraduate, postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, Master’s degree, and PhD study. It is offered at eight universities and three institutes of technology in New Zealand. It is open to citizens of eligible countries in the Pacific and Asia regions. There is no application fee. The scholarship is fully funded by the New Zealand government.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Benefits

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is genuinely comprehensive in terms of financial support. Here is a breakdown of every benefit that selected scholars receive.

Full Tuition Fees

The scholarship covers 100 percent of your tuition fees for the full duration of your approved programme of study. Whether you are doing a three-year undergraduate degree, a one-year postgraduate diploma, a two-year Master’s, or a three-and-a-half-year PhD, your tuition is fully paid. You do not pay anything to your institution for academic study while on scholarship.

Living Allowance (Weekly Stipend)

Scholars receive a living allowance of NZ$615 per week. This will help with a scholar’s basic living expenses. If you commence your study programme online in your home country, your stipend will be adjusted to reflect the difference in living costs around the world. This weekly stipend is designed to cover your day-to-day expenses including food, transport, and personal costs without you needing to take on part-time work.

Establishment Allowance

Scholars receive an establishment allowance of NZ$3,000. This is to help with set-up costs in New Zealand. For example, you can use it for accommodation expenses, textbooks, or other study materials. This one-time payment arrives when you first start your scholarship and is designed to help you get settled in without the financial stress that often comes with moving to a new country.

Medical and Travel Insurance

Full medical and travel insurance is included in the scholarship package for the entire duration of your studies in New Zealand. You do not need to arrange or pay for your own health coverage. This is particularly valuable given how expensive medical care can be in many countries, including New Zealand without insurance.

International Travel

The scholarship covers travel to and from your own country. This is for travel from your own country at the start of the scholarship, and for return travel at the end of your scholarship. Scholars studying over 1.6 years are entitled to travel home to visit family. This means for longer programmes, you are not stuck in New Zealand for years without being able to visit home.

Tutoring Support

The scholarship covers tutoring costs up to the value of NZ$1,000 to assist with the cost of additional tutoring while you are studying if needed. This is a thoughtful addition that recognizes studying in a second language or a new academic environment can sometimes require extra academic support, and the scholarship ensures that cost is not a barrier to getting help when you need it.

Research and Thesis Costs

For scholars undertaking research-based Master’s degrees or PhD programmes, the scholarship also covers reasonable research and thesis costs. This includes expenses related to fieldwork, data collection, laboratory use, and thesis preparation. The exact amount covered depends on the nature of your research and is agreed upon with your institution.

Pastoral Care

Each approved institution that hosts Manaaki scholars provides dedicated pastoral care and support. This is not just a financial benefit but a very practical one. Pastoral care teams help scholars settle into life in New Zealand, navigate academic challenges, address any personal or health issues, and connect with other scholars on campus. The combination of financial support and human support is what makes the Manaaki experience genuinely distinctive compared to many other scholarships.

Eligible Countries for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are only available to citizens from the eligible regions and countries. The programme focuses on two main regions: the Pacific and Asia. Below is an overview of the eligible countries in each region.

Pacific Countries

Eligible Pacific countries include Fiji (for postgraduate study only), French Pacific territories including New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, the North Pacific states including the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Citizens from eligible Pacific countries have two options. They can study at a New Zealand institution or at a Pacific tertiary education institution. Note that Cook Islands scholars apply through a separate government scholarship managed by the Cook Islands Ministry of Education and funded by the New Zealand government.

Asian Countries

Eligible Asian countries include Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Some additional countries in Southeast and South Asia may also qualify depending on the specific intake year. Citizens from Asian countries apply through a separate online portal for Asian applicants and follow slightly different application procedures than Pacific applicants.

If your country is not on this page, you can research scholarships from other New Zealand organisations. The Manaaki programme is specifically targeted at partner developing countries and is not a general open-access scholarship.

Eligible Institutions for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship

The eligible institutions for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are Auckland University of Technology, Lincoln University, Massey University, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington, Southern Institute of Technology, Unitec Institute of Technology, and Waikato Institute of Technology.

Each of these institutions has a dedicated team that supports Manaaki scholars with admissions, pastoral care, and academic guidance. When you apply for the scholarship, you nominate your preferred institution and programme. You do not need to have already applied to or been accepted by the institution when you submit your scholarship application. However, it is important to check in advance that you are likely to meet the academic and English language entry requirements of your chosen programme.

New Zealand’s universities are internationally recognized and consistently appear in global rankings across multiple subject areas. The University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Otago in particular appear regularly in QS World University Rankings. Lincoln University is nationally recognized as a specialist in land-based subjects including agriculture, food science, and environmental management, making it a particularly strong choice for scholars studying development-related fields in those areas.

Available Study Levels and Programme Duration

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is available across a wide range of academic levels and programme lengths. Here is what is on offer:

An undergraduate degree typically takes between three and four years to complete, depending on the discipline. A postgraduate certificate is a shorter qualification that takes approximately six months of full-time study. A postgraduate diploma takes one year of full-time study. A Master’s degree takes between one and two years depending on whether it is coursework-based or research-based. A PhD programme at a New Zealand university typically takes approximately three and a half years of full-time study.

Not all levels are available in every country. Some countries are eligible for postgraduate study only. Some countries offer undergraduate intake. The specific study levels available to you will depend on your home country and the current approved subjects list for your country. Always check the country-specific pages on the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website before deciding which level to apply for.

Priority Subjects for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship

Preferred fields of study are those most relevant to the development needs of your country, including renewable energy, agriculture development, disaster risk management, private sector development, and public sector development. Choosing one of the recommended priority subjects for your country significantly strengthens your application.

Common priority subject areas across multiple eligible countries include agriculture and food security, environmental science and natural resource management, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, public health and healthcare management, education and teacher training, engineering and infrastructure development, information and communication technology, governance and public administration, finance and economics, and tourism and hospitality management.

The priority subjects are reviewed and updated regularly based on the development priorities and economic needs of each partner country. The recommended study subjects were updated on the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship website on 15 February 2026. Before you finalize your study choice, always check the current recommended subjects list for your specific country on the official website.

In selection, preference is given to applicants who demonstrate how their proposed course of study aligns to their current work experience. The scholarship committee prefers applicants who will continue working in their current job sector after they finish their scholarship. This is an important point. Choosing a subject that connects directly to your existing professional background and your country’s development priorities will give your application a significant competitive advantage.

Eligibility Requirements for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship

To be considered for a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, you need to meet a specific set of eligibility criteria. Here is a detailed breakdown of each requirement.

Citizenship

You must be a citizen of one of the eligible partner countries listed on the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website. Permanent residents, dual nationals, and citizens of non-eligible countries are not eligible for this scholarship, even if they are currently living in an eligible country.

Age Requirement

To apply for a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, you must be 18 years old or older when you start your scholarship. This means if you are 17 years of age when you apply, you must have your 18th birthday before you start your scholarship in semester one immediately following your application. There is an exception for Samoa: applicants applying for the Samoa Foundation intake can be 17 years of age when they commence their scholarship. There is no upper age limit for applicants. However, the programme does prefer applicants who are under 40 years of age.

Work Experience (for Postgraduate Applicants)

Postgraduate applicants must have relevant work experience. Work experience can be paid, unpaid or voluntary. The minimum requirement is one year of full-time work experience or two years of part-time work experience in a relevant field. Work experience is not required for applicants who are in their final year of high school when they apply, or for applicants who apply in the academic year immediately after completing high school.

Commitment to Return and Contribute

The purpose of a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is to invest in the education of citizens from developing countries, enabling them to positively impact their communities and country’s development. Scholars are expected to contribute to their country’s social or economic development for at least two years after completing their scholarship study, and this is a condition of the scholarship. This is a non-negotiable requirement. You must be genuinely committed to returning home after your studies and applying your new knowledge and skills in your home country.

Not Currently Holding Another New Zealand Government Scholarship

You cannot be the current holder of another New Zealand government scholarship at the same academic level. If you have previously held a Manaaki scholarship and completed that study, you may be eligible to apply for a higher-level programme.

Study Subject Must Align with Priority Areas

Your chosen field of study must be one that is included in the recommended or approved subjects list for your specific country. Applying to study a subject that is not listed for your country will result in your application not progressing, regardless of how strong the rest of your application is.

Meeting Institution Entry Requirements

Scholarship applicants need to check that they are likely to meet the minimum academic requirements and the minimum level of English required for their courses before applying for a scholarship. You do not need a formal offer of admission when you submit your scholarship application, but you must be confident that you can obtain one if selected.

English Language Proficiency

You do not need to provide English language test scores when you apply for a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship for tertiary study. Candidates who are shortlisted for a scholarship to undertake tertiary study in New Zealand must provide an English language test score. English language testing takes place during the final stages of the scholarship selection process. Accepted English language tests include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and Cambridge Academic English. The minimum score required varies by institution and programme, so check the requirements of your chosen university in advance.

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Selection Process

Understanding how the selection process works will help you approach your application more strategically. The process typically unfolds in several stages over a number of months.

The first stage is the online eligibility check. Before you even begin your application, you are asked to complete an online eligibility questionnaire. This helps you confirm whether you meet the basic criteria before you invest time in completing the full application form. It only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of wasted effort if it turns out you are not eligible.

The second stage is the formal online application. If you are eligible, you proceed to create an account on the Manaaki scholarships application portal and complete the full application form. This includes providing details about your academic background, work experience, proposed study, and your intentions to contribute to your country’s development after graduation. You will also upload your academic transcripts at this stage.

The third stage is the initial review and shortlisting. After the application window closes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade reviews all submitted applications. Candidates who meet the criteria and whose proposed study aligns strongly with the priority areas for their country are shortlisted and notified that they are a “Preferred Candidate.”

The fourth stage is the institution application. If you are shortlisted, MFAT will notify you that you are a “Preferred Candidate” and invite you to apply formally to your chosen institution. The institution will fast-track your application. You will need to provide your academic transcripts and English language results. Once the institution issues your Offer of Place, you submit this to MFAT to sign your scholarship contract.

The fifth stage is the final confirmation. Once your Offer of Place from the institution is submitted and verified, MFAT confirms your scholarship award and you begin the process of preparing for travel to New Zealand. This includes arranging your student visa, completing pre-departure briefings, and accepting your formal scholarship agreement.

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme application system may close early to countries with a large volume of applications. To avoid disappointment, the scholarship programme strongly recommends applying as early as possible. Do not wait until the final days of the application window.

Required Documents for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Application

Having your documents ready before the application window opens will allow you to submit quickly and avoid the risk of the system closing early for your country. Here is what you will typically need:

A valid passport with sufficient validity remaining. Official academic transcripts from all previous educational institutions, including a grading scale that explains your institution’s grading system. Degree or graduation certificates for all completed qualifications. A detailed and honest account of your work experience, including dates, employer names, job titles, and a description of your responsibilities. A personal statement or essay explaining your motivation for applying, your study goals, and your plans to contribute to your country’s development after completing your scholarship. Evidence of any community involvement, leadership roles, or civic contributions. Once shortlisted, you will also need to provide verified English-translated copies of academic transcripts and certificates, along with your English language test score report from IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge Academic English.

How to Apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship – Step by Step

Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to completing your application for the 2026 intake.

Step 1 – Check Your Eligibility

Visit the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website and use the online eligibility checker to confirm that your country is eligible and that you meet the basic personal and academic requirements. This step should be your very first action.

Step 2 – Review the Priority Subjects for Your Country

Go to your country’s specific page on the Manaaki website and review the list of priority or recommended subjects. Choose a study field and programme that aligns with these priorities. This is one of the most important decisions you will make in the entire application process because it directly affects your chances of being selected.

Step 3 – Research Your Preferred Institution and Programme

Choose your preferred New Zealand university or institute of technology from the approved list and identify the specific programme you want to study. Review the academic entry requirements and English language requirements for that programme. Make sure you are confident that you can meet them if shortlisted. You do not need to apply to the institution at this stage, but you should know exactly what programme you want to study and be sure you are eligible for it.

Step 4 – Register for a Manaaki Scholarship Account

From the application opening date for your country, register for a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship account on the appropriate online portal. Citizens from eligible Asian countries use the Asia applicant portal, while eligible Pacific citizens use the Pacific applicant portal. You will receive a confirmation email to set your password. Check your spam folder if you do not receive the email within a few minutes.

Step 5 – Complete the Online Application Form

Log into your Manaaki account and complete the full online application. Fill in all sections carefully and honestly. Describe your academic background, your work experience, your proposed study, and your development contribution plans with as much specific detail as possible. Vague answers are much less convincing than concrete examples from your actual professional and personal experience.

Step 6 – Upload Your Academic Transcript

Upload a clear, legible PDF copy of your academic transcript from your most recent qualification. Make sure the transcript includes the grading scale used by your institution. If your transcript is in a language other than English, you may need to include a certified translation.

Step 7 – Submit Before the Deadline

Submit your completed application well before the closing date for your country. Remember that the system can close early for countries that receive a high volume of applications. Submitting in the first week of the application window is the safest approach. After submission, keep an eye on the email address you used to register, as all communications from MFAT will come through that channel.

Step 8 – Respond Promptly if Shortlisted

If you are selected as a Preferred Candidate, respond to MFAT’s communications promptly. You will need to provide additional verified documents and apply formally to your chosen institution. Work quickly because there are usually strict timelines at this stage and missing them can result in you losing your scholarship offer.

You can start your application through the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship application portal, which also includes links to both the Asia and Pacific applicant portals.

Tips to Strengthen Your Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Application

The Manaaki scholarship is competitive. Here are some tips to give your application the best possible chance of success.

Choose a priority subject that genuinely connects to your current work and career background. The selection committee strongly favors applicants whose proposed study directly extends the work they are already doing in a development-relevant field. If you are working in public health and want to study health management, make that connection explicit and compelling in your application.

Be honest and specific when describing your development contribution plans. Generic statements about wanting to help your country will not impress the selection panel. Instead, describe the specific sector you work in, the specific challenges you see in that sector, and how the knowledge and skills you gain in New Zealand will help you address those challenges when you return.

Show evidence of leadership. The Manaaki programme is explicitly looking for future leaders. If you have taken on leadership roles in your workplace, your community, or any professional or civic organization, include that in your application with specific examples of what you did and what impact it had.

Apply as early as possible in the application window. Because the system can close early for countries with many applicants, submitting in the last few days of the window is a risk you cannot afford to take.

Prepare your English language test results in advance if you are approaching the shortlisting stage. Shortlisted candidates are required to provide test scores from IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge Academic English. Having an up-to-date test result ready means you will not lose your preferred candidate status while scrambling to arrange a test after being notified.

Life as a Manaaki Scholar in New Zealand

New Zealand is consistently ranked among the safest, most livable, and most welcoming countries in the world for international students. The Kiwi lifestyle is relaxed but culturally rich, offering scholars a genuine mix of academic rigor, natural beauty, and a friendly multicultural community.

Campus life at New Zealand universities is active and inclusive. Manaaki scholars are encouraged to participate in student clubs, cultural groups, and community activities alongside their academic work. Many universities have dedicated international student support services, Maori and Pacific student support offices, and strong academic mentoring programmes that scholars can access throughout their studies.

New Zealand’s cities are clean, safe, and easy to navigate. Auckland is the largest city and home to Auckland University of Technology and the University of Auckland. Wellington is the capital city and home to Victoria University of Wellington. Christchurch, which is the main gateway to New Zealand’s famous South Island, is close to Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury. Otago’s main campus is in Dunedin, a vibrant university city known for its student culture. Each location has its own character, and choosing your institution partly means choosing the kind of city experience you want during your years in New Zealand.

The scholarship does not provide additional funding for spouses or children. If you intend to bring family, you must provide evidence of independent financial means to support them. This is an important practical consideration to keep in mind if you have dependents who you were planning to bring with you.

Final Thoughts

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is one of the most thoughtfully designed and genuinely generous scholarship programmes available to students from the Pacific and Asia. It does not just fund your education. It invests in who you are becoming and what you will do when you go back home. That sense of purpose is built into every part of the programme, from the subjects it prioritizes to the pastoral care it provides and the two-year return obligation that ties it all together.

If you are a citizen of one of the eligible countries and you have a genuine desire to study at a world-class New Zealand university and then use that education to make a meaningful difference in your home community, this scholarship was made for you. The application process is not complicated, but it does require careful preparation, honest reflection, and a compelling personal narrative that connects your past experience, your study goals, and your future plans into a single convincing story.

Start early. Research your priority subjects thoroughly. Choose your institution and programme with care. And make sure your application clearly explains not just who you are, but what you are going to do with this incredible opportunity once you have it.

When you are ready to begin, visit the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website to check your eligibility, review your country’s priority subjects, and start your application. Good luck. This could be the beginning of something that changes your life and the lives of the people you go home to serve.