New Zealand Government Scholarships for International Students

How New Zealand government scholarships are organised

The New Zealand government funds a small number of scholarship schemes for international students, administered through official agencies. The umbrella programme for development-focused awards is the New Zealand Scholarships, branded as Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, which the government offers to students from selected eligible partner countries.

These are distinct from the scholarships that individual New Zealand universities run from their own budgets. Government schemes tend to be targeted — by country, by field of study, or by level — and competitive, so reading the official eligibility list on the Manaaki website before applying is essential.

What the schemes typically fund

Fully government-funded scholarships are usually comprehensive, designed to cover the major costs of study so that a recipient can focus on their programme. The exact components are defined by each scheme and can change between rounds.

We do not list specific amounts here because they are set per round and per country. The official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships and Study with New Zealand pages set out which costs each award covers and any conditions attached — confirm the current details there before relying on them.

• Tuition for the approved programme
• A living allowance or stipend, where the scheme provides one
• Travel and establishment costs, depending on the award
• Conditions can apply (for example, a return-home requirement) — check the official terms

Who is eligible

Eligibility for government scholarships is narrowly defined. Development-focused awards are open only to citizens of specified eligible partner countries and often prioritise fields linked to a country's development needs. Some schemes also set age, work-experience or English-language requirements.

Because the eligible-country list and the priority fields are reviewed periodically, you must check the current criteria on the official Manaaki scholarship website rather than relying on older summaries. If your country is not on the list for a development award, university and other scholarships may still be open to you.

How to apply through official routes

Government scholarships are applied for through the official scheme website and its nominated process — never through an agent who asks for payment or promises an outcome. Start at Study with New Zealand's scholarships overview or the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships site, then follow the official application route for the specific scheme.

Prepare early: gather academic records, identity documents, English-test results if required, and any statement the scheme asks for. Note the application window, which usually opens once a year, and submit through the official portal only. This is general information, not immigration or financial advice; confirm every detail — including any student-visa requirement — on the official source before applying.

• Begin at the official Study with New Zealand or Manaaki scholarships page
• Open the specific scheme (e.g. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships)
• Check the current eligible-country list and deadlines
• Apply only through the official portal — never pay an 'agent' for a guarantee