Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2027 (Fully Funded)
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is a New Zealand government program supporting students from eligible developing countries to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies at New Zealand institutions. It aims to build skills and knowledge that contribute to the development of scholars’ home countries while strengthening global partnerships and promoting New Zealand as a great destination for quality education.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Coverage
This government fully funded scholarship for international students covers the following:
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100% of tuition fees
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Travel expenses
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Health insurance
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Living stipend
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Set-up costs
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Research and thesis related costs for postgraduate students
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, you need to meet the following criteria:
- 18 years old or older except for applicants from Samoa (Foundation Intake) who can be 17 at the beginning of their scholarship
- Students who have had one year of full-time or two years of part-time work experience
- Students who intend to contribute to their countries' development
- Residing in their country for the last two countries
- Students with an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (Minimum band of 6.0), a TOEFL score of 90 with a writing score of at least 21, PTE of 58 (communicative skills score of 50), or a Cambridge Academic English score of 176 (bands 169)
For detailed requirements, refer to the official eligibility page .
Eligible degree levels
Eligible programmes
Eligible nationalities
Important Notice
Disclaimer
- Shortlisted students from the following countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Nauru, New Caledonia, North Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands), Papua New Guinea, Samoa (except Samoa Foundation applicants), Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu will have their IETLS test fees paid by the scholarship
- Apply as early as possible. Application may close earlier for countries with a high volume of applications.
How to Apply
In this section, we'll provide a clear general overview of requirements and steps to guide you through the application process for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships.
To apply for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, please follow these steps:
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Make sure you are eligible by taking the online eligibility test
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Make an account on the application platform
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Complete and submit the deadline before the deadline
Important Note: The application procedures and required documents for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships may vary depending on your degree, program, nationality and other factors. For specific details regarding the requirements, kindly visit the official website of Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships.
Application Deadlines
Now that you’re familiar with the application procedure, it’s time to know the application dates! Knowing the dates for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships will help you prepare early and it will also give you the time you need to put together a competitive application.
Application deadlines vary
The application deadlines for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships vary. It’s important to review official guidelines on the official website or contact administrators for specific deadlines. Make sure to regularly check the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships page for the latest and most accurate information on application deadlines.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Eligible Institutions
The eligible institutions for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are listed below:
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Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Recipients
Meet students who have received Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships and learn how they secured their award.
Recipient Insights
These 15 stories describe degree study supported by Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, including an account under the earlier New Zealand Development Scholarship (NZAID) name. Fourteen stories concern master’s study and one concerns a PhD.
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Indonesian | 4 |
| Cambodian, Kenyan | 3 each |
| Ecuadorian, Fijian, Malawian, Thai, Vietnamese | 1 each |
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 14 | Energy; Disaster Management; Public Policy; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Supply Chain Management; Environmental Science; Legal Studies and Environmental Law; Public Management; Engineering |
| PhD | 1 | Peace and Conflict Studies |
Funding Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Melisa Ika Puspita — Master’s in Environmental Science | Tuition, NZD 531 per week for living costs, establishment and research allowances, health insurance and round-trip travel. |
| Nohely — Master’s in Supply Chain Management | Reported approximately NZD 170,000, including tuition, medical insurance, airfare and a biweekly stipend; support covered a three-month academic English course and one year of master’s study. |
| Nutnicha Limboonngam (studies deferred to 2023) — Master’s in Disaster Management | Reported tuition, return flights, a weekly living stipend, visa and medical-check fees, English-test fees, an establishment allowance and tutoring. |
| Carol Munywoki (2024–August 2025) — Master’s in Engineering, electrical power and sustainable energy | Reported approximately NZD 135,000 covering tuition, living allowance, travel and medical insurance. |
| Shirley Gabriella — PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies | Reported NZD 171,126 covering tuition, living and establishment allowances, medical and travel insurance, initial and final flights, two return flights home during the award, reintegration support, and thesis and research costs. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Maria Delavega Afriani — Master’s in Energy | Manaaki | Mechanical Engineering graduate with an energy-conversion focus, a wind-turbine design project using Q-blade, and power-sector work. Connected her study plans with Indonesia’s low-carbon development priorities. |
| Bagus Septiangga — Master’s in Disaster Management | Manaaki | Environmental Geography graduate with GIS research, a co-authored journal paper and more than five years of government and nonprofit work. Emphasized practical hazard modelling and conservation experience. |
| Nutnicha Limboonngam (studies deferred to 2023) — Master’s in Disaster Management | Manaaki | Business English graduate with GPA 3.83/4.00. Disaster-risk-reduction volunteering in Indonesia and subsequent intergovernmental disaster-preparedness work informed her change of field. |
| Manisha Mudliar (2020–2021) — Master’s in Public Management | Manaaki | Economics and Finance bachelor’s GPA 4.02/4.5 and earlier postgraduate study GPA 3.7/4.5. Civil-service programme leadership motivated further training in delivery, monitoring and evaluation. |
| Shirley Gabriella — PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies | Kenyan nominating-agency route and MFAT | Master’s in International Relations with GPA 3.6 and a Political Science and Public Administration bachelor’s degree. Developed a terrorism-focused proposal, secured a supervisor and obtained academic and workplace references. |
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total funded degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS for the scholarship-funded application/admission episode | 8/15 | 6.5 (Eskanesiar (Inesh), Maria Delavega Afriani); 7.0 (Melisa Ika Puspita); 7.5 (Chantarapeach UT, Siv Eang Chea); IELTS taken for the application (Bagus Septiangga, Martha Jessica Munthali, Nohely). |
| TOEFL for the PhD scholarship application | 1/15 | TOEFL 100 (Shirley Gabriella). |
| English-medium qualifications accepted without a language test | 2/15 | English-medium academic qualifications accepted (Carol Munywoki, Dr. Albert Muleke). Albert connected his exemption to English-medium coursework; Carol stated that her qualifications satisfied the requirement. |
| Academic English pathway completed for university entry | 1/15 | Three-month academic English course passed (Nohely). Nohely’s master’s admission was conditional on completing this scholarship-funded course, which she passed before starting the degree. |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Nohely — Master’s in Supply Chain Management | Manaaki and AUT admission | First sought mentorship in 2019, strengthened her profile during the pandemic and took further mentorship in 2022. Applied when the scholarship reopened in 2023; subsequently passed the three-month academic English course required for master’s entry. |
| Carol Munywoki (2024–August 2025) — Master’s in Engineering, electrical power and sustainable energy | Manaaki and AUT | Applied for scholarships repeatedly between 2020 and 2023; secured Manaaki in 2023 and began the funded degree the following year. |
| Nutnicha Limboonngam (studies deferred to 2023) — Master’s in Disaster Management | Manaaki | Received the award in 2020; COVID-19 delayed the start of study until 2023. |
| Eskanesiar (Inesh) (since 2025) — Master’s in Energy | Manaaki and University of Auckland | Received the scholarship in 2024 and applied to the university with confirmed sponsorship. Used the IELTS result provided through the scholarship selection process for university entry the following year. |
| Shirley Gabriella — PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies | Kenyan nomination and MFAT | After identifying a potential supervisor, waited two months for a positive response. The scholarship process involved a Kenyan ministry interview, nomination, a timed psychometric assessment and a Skype interview; application to award took eight months. |
Country-Specific Application Timeline Examples
| Country and route | Recipient and degree/program | Reported sequence or timing |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia — Manaaki selection | Sovannvatey Khlaing — Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | Began preparing about six months before applications opened; reported spending one to two months drafting and revising responses after the portal opened around February. Shortlisting was followed by a psychometric test and interview, with final results in August. |
Interviews and Selection Assessments Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported experience or preparation |
|---|---|
| Thi Hoang Anh (Annie) Nguyen — Master’s in Public Policy | After the written application, completed a comprehensive test and interview. A scholarship alumna helped with a mock interview, and mentors reviewed her short written responses. |
| Nutnicha Limboonngam (studies deferred to 2023) — Master’s in Disaster Management | Described an assessment stage with psychometric and logical-reasoning tests, followed by an online interview. Said interview questions drew mainly on her written application. |
| Eskanesiar (Inesh) (since 2025) — Master’s in Energy | Practised explaining his aviation background and sustainable-energy goals. During the interview, aircraft models and work photos in his Zoom background became conversation starters. |
| Martha Jessica Munthali — Master’s in Public Policy | Treated the interview as a genuine conversation about her intentions and career development; described the panel as kind and welcoming. |
| Shirley Gabriella — PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies | Prepared through proposal feedback from former lecturers, a workplace reference and research about New Zealand. Her route included both the Kenyan nomination interview and a later MFAT Skype interview. |
What Recipients Pursued After Their Scholarship-Funded Studies
| Recipient | Scholarship-funded degree/program | Reported outcome or current status |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Albert Muleke | Master’s study at Lincoln University | Subsequently received a Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship for a PhD in Agricultural Science at the University of Tasmania. His master’s work produced two conference presentations and a thesis-based publication. |
| Manisha Mudliar (2020–2021) | Master of Public Management at Victoria University of Wellington | Completed the degree with Merit. Current role: Programme Officer – Private Sector Development at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva. |
| Carol Munywoki (2024–August 2025) | Master of Engineering at Auckland University of Technology | Completed the degree with First Class Honours; reported working as an Electrical Engineer with Kenya Power. |
| Shirley Gabriella | PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago | Reported roles as a civil servant, adjunct faculty at USIU-Africa and Africa International University, and Executive Director of the Africa Network of Critical Security Scholars. Her thesis received Otago’s 2024 Exceptional Doctoral Thesis Award. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Maria Delavega Afriani — Master’s in Energy | University admission offers from the University of Edinburgh and Politecnico di Milano. | Chose the University of Auckland for the fit with her research interests and long-term goals. |
| Thi Hoang Anh (Annie) Nguyen — Master’s in Public Policy | May 18th Institute’s master’s scholarship in South Korea. | Chose Manaaki for its emphasis on leadership, community impact and contribution to home-country development. |
| Dr. Albert Muleke — Master’s at Lincoln University | An Australia Awards master’s scholarship. | Chose NZAID because it best matched his study interests and long-term career goals. |
| Eskanesiar (Inesh) (since 2025) — Master’s in Energy | LPDP–Australia Awards collaborative scholarship offer in 2024. | Reported the offer alongside his acceptance of Manaaki and Energy studies in Auckland. |
Applicants Who Declined This Scholarship
| Applicant and intended degree/program | Offer from Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships | Alternative chosen | Reason described in the story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reza Saputra — postgraduate application in conservation | Reported a Manaaki scholarship offer in the same application year as Australia Awards. | Australia Awards for an MSc in Tropical Biology and Conservation at James Cook University. | Australia Awards and James Cook University best matched his academic and professional conservation goals, including tropical ecology and access to the herbarium’s orchid collection. |
What Manaaki New Zealand Scholars Say
Advice and reflections from scholars about the Manaaki New Zealand application process and programme.
"The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship that covers full tuition fees, living allowance, medical and travel insurance, and round-trip airfare."
"I was incredibly grateful to be awarded the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, a fully funded scholarship from the New Zealand Government through MFAT."
"Put your best foot forward and be prepared. Make sure your information is consistent across all your documents."
"My recommendation is to demonstrate your passion for your chosen field by providing specific examples rather than simply stating that you are passionate about it."
"It has been an incredibly eye-opening and transformative experience. The learning environment at The University of Auckland is inclusive, research-driven, and supportive."
"This fully funded scholarship covered tuition fees, living expenses, return economy air travel and travel insurance, and medical insurance when you’re in NZ, an establishment allowance to help with set-up costs in New Zealand, allowing me to focus entirely on my academic and research goals."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, eligibility, funding, and applications.
Yes. The Global Scholarships overview describes the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship as fully funded and says it covers 100% of tuition fees, travel expenses, health insurance, a living stipend, set-up costs, and research or thesis-related costs for postgraduate students. According to Siv Eang Chea, “The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship that covers full tuition fees, living allowance, medical and travel insurance, and round-trip airfare.”
In addition to tuition, travel, health insurance, living support, and set-up costs are covered. Recipient stories show that some scholars also received extra academic support. For example, Inesh said the scholarship included “academic preparation through the PGAP course, and additional tutoring support,” while Nutnicha Limboonngam noted that her package included “English Language Test fee” and “Tutoring fees.”
Applicants should expect a scholarship-first process, although the exact sequence can differ slightly by route. According to Martha Jessica Munthali, “You actually apply for the scholarship first, and if you’re successful, you apply to your university of choice.” Likewise, Thi Hoang Anh (Annie) Nguyen explained that you can apply to universities after being shortlisted.
Yes. Annie Nguyen advised applicants to prepare more than one option because “Manaaki lets you list up to three universities.” She also warned that even after receiving the scholarship, applicants still need to meet the admission requirements of the university they end up attending.
Recipient stories suggest that English requirements can be part of the process, and some scholars received support for this stage. Manisha Mudliar wrote, “Completion of IELTS Academic was a requirement for the scholarship, after a candidate is chosen. The Manaaki scholarship scheduled IELTS Classes to assist candidates in preparing for the exam.” Similarly, Nohely shared that she completed a “three-month academic English course funded by the Manaaki Scholarship,” and her admission was conditional on passing it.
Yes, several recipients describe a return-service expectation. Shirley Gabriella said that awardees are required “to return to their home country for at least two years” after finishing the scholarship. Manisha Mudliar also explained that there is “a condition to return to your home country and serve for two years.”
Recipients consistently emphasize clarity, evidence, and alignment with home-country impact. Martha Jessica Munthali advised applicants to keep their materials consistent: “Make sure your information is consistent across all your documents.” Nutnicha Limboonngam recommended showing real evidence of motivation: “demonstrate your passion for your chosen field by providing specific examples.” And Chantarapeach UT stressed the importance of “your plans upon returning to your home country.”
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
hi, is there any admission fee to apply this scholarship?
No there isn’t any application fees
Hello. When would be the next application period?
Hello, it usually is from February 1 to February 28th of each year.
does your eligibility criteria exclude Africa?
Hello, yes, it is not available for African countries. You can see the eligible nationality in the overview box.
Hello. I would like to ask if the VISA will be covered for this scholarship?
Yes it does!
Hello, what can I prepare before I apply full funding scholarship for next year in 2027?
Hello, you can strengthen your application by having research experience or relevant work experience!