The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are the New Zealand government's flagship development scholarships, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) through the New Zealand Aid Programme and administered by Education New Zealand. They give citizens of 80+ partner countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean a fully funded Bachelor's, Master's or PhD at a New Zealand institution — tuition, a weekly living allowance, airfares, insurance and setup costs all covered. Selection is development-focused: they fund people whose studies will create the most benefit for their home country when they return.
Why it is notable: one of the most generous government scholarships in the world (pays you NZ$615/week for 52 weeks a year, including holidays); you do NOT need an English test score to apply — only shortlisted candidates are tested; the mandatory 2-year return-home obligation means it is a development award, not a migration pathway.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Full tuition fees paid directly to the institution for the entire programme duration.
Weekly living allowance of NZ$615, paid fortnightly, 52 weeks a year including holidays (~NZ$31,980/yr).
One-off NZ$3,000 establishment allowance on arrival (bond, winter clothing, textbooks).
Return economy airfare from home country at the start and end of the scholarship.
Medical insurance and travel insurance for the full scholarship period.
Up to NZ$1,000 tutoring support where needed during study.
NZ$1,000 reintegration allowance on return home (per participating institutions).
Research and thesis cost support for many postgraduate scholars (fieldwork, conference, publication costs).
Travel home during long programmes (over 1.6 years: one or two return trips, programme-length dependent).
Visa application costs reimbursed on arrival at the host institution.
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Secondary school completionfor UndergradBachelor's degreefor MastersMaster's degreefor PhD
This scholarship is offered for Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes (available levels vary by country — check your country's page).
Who can apply
citizens of the 80+ eligible partner countries across the Pacific, Southeast/South Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean (full list at nzscholarships.govt.nz/check-eligible-countries/). New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are not eligible.
Experience
No experience required.
Language Certificate
Course-dependent. General guide (official): postgraduate — IELTS 6.5 overall (no band <6.0), TOEFL iBT 90 (writing 21), PTE Academic 58 (no skill <50), Cambridge Advanced 176 (no band <169); undergraduate — IELTS 6.0 (no band <5.5), TOEFL iBT 80 (writing 21), PTE 50 (no skill <42). You do NOT need a test score to apply — only shortlisted applicants are tested (ENZ organises/pays for applicants from many Pacific/Asian countries).
Other Certificates
academic transcripts and certificates as required for your chosen course's entry requirements (checked by the institution, not at scholarship application).
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
Eligible = citizens of the 80+ MFAT partner countries (developing countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean — check the official…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Nationality
be a citizen of an eligible MFAT partner country (80+ across Pacific, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean); NZ citizens/PRs excluded.
02
Qualifications
meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen course and institution (checked before applying; admission applied for only after preferred-candidate notification).
03
Language
meet the course's English requirement eventually, but NO test score needed at application — shortlisted candidates are tested (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Cambridge; ENZ pays for applicants from many Pacific/Asian countries).
04
Subjects
choose only from your country's priority subject areas published on your country page.
05
Development commitment
commit to returning to your home country for at least 2 years after the scholarship (programme terms; breach can trigger full repayment).
06
Documents
passport, transcripts/certificates, CV, referees, written answers; PhD applicants must show supervisor engagement at interview stage.
Document checklist
011. Valid passport (digital colour copy — required for any IELTS testing)
022. Academic transcripts and certificates
033. CV
044. Two referees
055. Development-impact statement / written answers
066. Evidence of PhD supervisor secured or in discussion (PhD interview stage)
077. English test score — only if shortlisted (not at application).
Application fee
No fee — completely free.
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: New Zealand Student Visa (applied online via Immigration New Zealand).
Application Procedure
8 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Check your country page on nzscholarships.govt.nz
confirm you are eligible and note your country's priority subjects and application dates.
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02
Choose your preferred institution and course
and check you are likely to meet its academic and English entry requirements (do NOT apply to the institution yet).
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03
When the round opens
register on the MNZS Applicant Portal (online application system) and complete the application: personal details, academic history, development-impact answers, referees.
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06
Interviews (video conference
~40 minutes) for candidates passing detailed assessment.
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05
Screening + psychometric testing for screened-in applicants
(10 days to complete).
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04
Submit well before the close —
the system can overload at closing time, and the portal may close EARLY for high-volume countries (Indonesia, Philippines and others have closed before the official deadline). Official advice: submit 3–10 days before the
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07
Final assessment combining interview
English scores and the rest of the application (6–10 months after close).
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08
Notification: preferred candidates
reserve list, unsuccessful — then university admission process and visa (scholarships typically commence the February after the application year, i.e. 2028 for the 2027 round).
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official 11 approved NZ universities and tertiary… platform.
Do I need an English test score to apply? A: No. Only shortlisted applicants need to provide an English test score; testing happens in the final selection stages, and ENZ organises and pays for the IEDo I apply to the university at the same time? A: No. Scholarship applicants check they are likely to meet entry requirements, but do not apply for admission until notified they are a preferred candidWhich subjects can I study? A: Only the specific priority subjects published for your country/region — check your country page before researching degrees.I'm applying for a PhD — do I need a supervisor? A: Yes, effectively: identify and contact suitable supervisors as early as possible; at the interview stage you must show evidence you have secured oneWhat happens if lots of people from my country apply? A: The online system may close early to countries with very high application volumes — apply as early as possible.Can I bring my family? A: Dependents are not funded by the scholarship — partners' and children's travel and living costs are entirely yours (per participating institutions).What is the return-home obligation? A: Scholars are expected to return to their home country for at least 2 years after completing the scholarship; this is a programme condition, not a suggestion.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
New Zealand · 11 approved NZ universities and tertiary…