New Zealand Scholarship: Avoid Rejection & Get Selected
Many students assume that studying in New Zealand is too expensive and often remove it from their study-abroad options without researching further.
In reality, there are several New Zealand scholarships available for international students that can significantly reduce the cost of studying there. Some scholarships cover tuition fees, while others may also include travel expenses and living allowances.
In this guide, we explain the main types of scholarships available in New Zealand, their eligibility requirements, how the application process works, common mistakes students make while applying, and what studying in New Zealand is actually like after receiving a scholarship.
What Kind of New Zealand Scholarships Are Actually Out There?
Understanding the three main funding categories will save you time and help you to grab the right opportunity.
1. Government Scholarships - The Fully Funded Route
These scholarships are funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme and administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), with support from Education New Zealand for international promotion.
The flagship programme is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship – a fully funded award for citizens of developing partner countries. The New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Awards (NZAS) is another fully funded scholarship offered for postgraduate studies.
However, it is specifically available to students from ASEAN countries. This includes Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others. Government scholarships are the most competitive but offer the most comprehensive support.
2. University Scholarships - Merit-Based & Widely Available
New Zealand’s universities also offer their own scholarship programmes for international students.
In many cases, you do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. Once you apply for admission, the university may automatically consider your profile for available scholarships. Here are three verified examples:
(i) University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship:
Up to NZD $10,000 towards tuition fees for new international undergraduate and postgraduate students. Up to 50 scholarships are awarded biannually.
(ii) University of Otago Global Scholarship:
Valued at NZD $15,000 for new international undergraduate students from nominated countries – applied for automatically through the admission system (eVision).
(iii) University of Otago Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship:
NZD $10,000 automatically assessed for new international undergraduate students – no separate application needed.
Understanding The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship
The Manaaki Scholarship is the government’s most comprehensive funded programme, previously known as the New Zealand Development Scholarship.
According to Massey University’s official Manaaki scholarship page, the Manaaki Scholarship is funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme and administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
What Does the Manaaki Scholarship Actually Cover?
According to Massey University’s verified scholarship details, the full Manaaki Scholarship includes:
- Full tuition fees at a New Zealand university or institute of technology.
- A living allowance (stipend) of NZD $615 per week to cover basic day-to-day costs.
- An establishment allowance of NZD $3,000 to help with arrival set-up costs in New Zealand.
- Return economy-class airfare from your home country.
- Full health insurance for the duration of your study.
- A reintegration allowance of NZD $1,000 upon returning home.
- Research and thesis cost support for eligible postgraduate students.
Who Is This Scholarship Actually For?
The Manaaki Scholarship targets citizens of developing countries that are recognised as New Zealand partner nations.
According to Victoria University of Wellington, the scholarship is available to students from more than 80 partner countries across the Pacific, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Scholars must commit to returning home and contributing to their country’s social or economic development for at least two years. This is a formal scholarship condition.
Do You Really Need Work Experience?
Postgraduate applicants must have relevant work experience, either one full year of full-time work (30+ hours per week), or two years of part-time work (up to 29 hours per week).
Paid, unpaid, and voluntary work all count as work experience. Work experience is not required for applicants in their final year of high school. It is also not necessary for those applying in the academic year immediately after completing school.
Applicants who are already employed can still apply even if they do not have prior work experience.
Source – Maanaki eligibility criteria
Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Scholarships
The following summarises the core eligibility requirements.
Source: official Manaaki eligibility page.
1. Citizenship:
Must be a citizen of an eligible partner country.
2. Age:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old when the scholarship starts. Preference is usually given to candidates under 40.
3. Residency:
You must have lived in your home country for at least 2 years before applying.
4. Work Experience (Postgraduate):
At least 1 year of full-time experience or 2 years of part-time experience. Paid, unpaid, or volunteer work may be considered.
5. English Requirement (Postgraduate):
Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0, though requirements vary by institution. Equivalent scores include TOEFL 90 or PTE 58.
6. English Requirement (Undergraduate):
Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with no band below 5.5. Equivalent scores include TOEFL 80 or PTE 50.
7. Return Requirement:
Scholarship recipients must return to their home country and work there for at least 2 years after completing their studies.
8. Previous Scholarships:
Applicants must not have received a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship before.
9. Military Service:
Applicants currently serving in active military service are not eligible.
Step-by-Step - How Do You Actually Apply for a New Zealand Scholarship?
1. Check Your Country's Eligibility:
Confirm that your country is listed as a Manaaki partner nation. Pacific and ASEAN country pages also show any specific national requirements.
2. Complete The Online Eligibility Questionnaire:
This confirms whether you personally meet all criteria before you invest time in a full application.
3. Review Your Country's Recommended Study Subjects:
Each country page lists priority subjects aligned with national development needs. Choosing from this list significantly improves your selection chances.
4. Research Institutions & Courses:
Scholars can study at one of New Zealand’s eight universities or selected institutes of technology and polytechnic providers, depending on the programme.
5. Prepare Your Documents:
Academic transcripts, a strong personal statement, proof of work experience (for postgraduate applicants), and contact details for referees.
6. Submit Your Application Online:
Applications are submitted through the official applicant portal. For most partner countries, the window opens in Feb-March each year. However, the exact month may vary each year.
7. Shortlisting & Interview:
Shortlisted candidates are contacted for the next phase, which may include an interview. English language test scores are only required at this stage — not when submitting the initial application.
8. Accept Your Scholarship Offer:
Preferred candidates receive a formal Letter of Offer and must follow the steps outlined in the Manaaki Scholar Code of Conduct to confirm their place.
Why Do New Zealand Scholarship Applications Get Rejected? (And How to Avoid It)
1. Weak Development Impact Narrative:
The Manaaki Scholarship is explicitly designed to invest in the development of partner countries. Applications that do not clearly connect the proposed course to a concrete national development goal are frequently unsuccessful.
2. Choosing Subjects Outside Your Country's Priority List:
Each country page on the official site lists recommended subjects. Selecting a course outside this list significantly lowers selection chances.
3. Not Meeting The Two-Year Residency Rule:
If you have been living outside your home country without an approved exception (diplomatic assignment or overseas enrolment), you are disqualified.
4. Incomplete or Inconsistent Documents:
Missing transcripts, generic reference letters, or application answers that contradict each other are common red flags during screening.
5. PhD Applicants Without a Confirmed or Active Supervisor:
Reaching the interview stage without evidence of supervisor engagement is one of the most common reasons PhD applications do not advance.
You've Won the Scholarship - Now What? (Life in New Zealand as a Scholar)
Winning a New Zealand scholarship means joining what the Manaaki programme calls its ‘whanau’ – a Māori word for family. As a Manaaki Scholar, you gain access to leadership workshops, professional development events, and a global alumni network of scholars from over 80 countries.
These experiences are designed to build the confidence and leadership capacity you will carry home. Day-to-day life is covered by your weekly stipend, though living costs vary by city.
Auckland is generally more expensive than Dunedin or Hamilton. Students should keep this in mind when choosing where to study.
The scholarship covers health insurance for the full duration of your studies. If your programme lasts more than 1.6 years, you may also get support to travel home and visit your family.
Which New Zealand Scholarship Is the Right Fit for You?
The right scholarship depends on a few factors, such as your nationality, your level of study, and your long-term goals. Here is a quick decision framework:
1. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship
If you are from a Manaaki partner country and are looking for a fully funded opportunity, the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is usually the main scholarship to consider. This programme expects students to return to their home country after completing their studies.
2. New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Awards (NZAS)
Students from ASEAN countries who want to pursue postgraduate studies can look into the New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Awards (NZAS). It is another fully funded option offered to eligible applicants from the ASEAN region.
3. University Merit-Based Scholarships
If you are applying to universities like the University of Auckland or the University of Otago, it is also worth checking their merit-based scholarships during the admission process.
4. New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship (NZIDRS)
Students planning to pursue a PhD can explore doctoral scholarships offered directly by New Zealand universities, which often provide tuition coverage and a research stipend for international PhD candidates.
FAQs
Applicants generally must be at least 18, meet academic and English requirements, and be citizens of an eligible country.
Most major New Zealand scholarships open around February each year, so students should prepare their applications several months in advance.
Many scholarships cover tuition fees, a living allowance, travel costs, medical insurance, and sometimes study or research expenses.
New Zealand government scholarships are mainly available to citizens of selected developing countries in regions such as Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and Latin America.
Yes, students can usually apply for multiple scholarships at the same time if they meet the eligibility requirements for each one.
Applications for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships typically open in early February and close near the end of February each year.
Scholarship selection and final results are usually announced about 6–10 months after the application deadline.
Some scholarship holders may bring their dependents later, but they must meet visa requirements and arrange their own support.
Most scholarships require applicants to be at least 18 years old and generally do not have a strict upper age limit.
Yes, most scholarships require proof of English proficiency through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or other accepted equivalents.