The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are the official New Zealand Government Scholarships 2026. They are fully funded scholarships for international students to study in New Zealand universities. The program is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and supported by Education New Zealand.
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship presents a unique opportunity for individuals from developing countries to access quality education in New Zealand.The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, facilitated by the New Zealand Government, extends opportunities for citizens from developing countries to undertake studies at New Zealand education institutions, universities, or Pacific universities.
Scholarship Overview
- Scholarship Name: Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
- Host Country: New Zealand
- Degree Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
- Funding: Fully Funded
- Study Location: Top universities and institutes in New Zealand
Requirements for New Zealand Government Scholarship Qualification
- 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.
- Successful scholarship applicants must meet both the academic entry requirements and the English language requirements determined by each education institution.
Postgraduate scholarship applicants and applicants who finished high school more than 3 years ago, must have relevant work experience. Work experience can be paid, unpaid or voluntary, and must meet the following criteria:
- One year of full-time work experience (i.e. 30 hours or more per week), OR
- Two years of part-time work experience (i.e. up to 29 hours per week).
The New Zealand Government accept test scores from these four English competency testing systems:
- IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) OR
- TOEFL (the Test of English as a Foreign Language) OR
- PTE Academic (the Pearson Test of English Academic) OR
- Cambridge Academic English (advanced).
📚 Fields of Study
Common priority fields include:
- Agriculture & Food Security
- Climate Change & Environment
- Renewable Energy
- Engineering & Technology
- Public Health
- Education
- Governance and Development
Applicants usually must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be a citizen of an eligible developing country
- Meet academic requirements for the chosen degree
- Meet English language requirements (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Have relevant work experience (mainly for postgraduate programs)
- Agree to return to their home country after study
📅 Application Timeline (Typical)
- Applications Open: Around February–March 2026
- Deadline: Usually March or April 2026
📝 How to Apply
- Check your country eligibility on the scholarship website.
- Complete the online eligibility test.
- Create an account on the scholarship portal.
- Submit the online application with required documents.
✅ Benefits of studying in New Zealand
- Globally recognized universities
- High quality education system
- Safe and multicultural environment
- Opportunities for research and innovation
Application Deadline
March 31, 2026
