The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are a fully funded government programme run by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They pay for students from partner countries to study in New Zealand at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and they also fund short-term vocational training and English language training for officials. If you want the condensed version, our full scholarship details page has the essentials in one place.
Before you get attached to the idea, one thing has to be settled. This scholarship is only open to citizens of eligible partner countries, and the list is published on the official website. Nothing in the information we have confirms that Pakistan is on that list. So your very first job, before transcripts or reference letters, is to open the official site and check whether Pakistani citizens can apply for the scholarship type you want. If Pakistan is not listed, this is not your scholarship, and your time is better spent elsewhere.
A development scholarship first, a study scholarship second
The New Zealand Government funds this programme to support sustainable growth and development in partner countries. That purpose shapes everything about it. Selection is competitive, and the panel looks for people who show the potential to contribute to their home country's development. A brilliant transcript on its own is not the whole case.
The programme also expects you to come home. One of the eligibility requirements is a demonstrated commitment to returning home after study. If your real plan is to settle abroad, be honest with yourself about that now. This award is built for people who want to take skills back and use them, and the application is read with that in mind.
The programme emphasises the concept of manaakitanga, which involves hosting, supporting and honouring guests. The programme describes its approach to scholars in those terms: support through the whole of your time in New Zealand, and long-term connections with the country after you leave.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Study levels | Undergraduate, postgraduate, short term training, vocational training |
| Eligible fields | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Host country | New Zealand |
| Provider | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
| Official site | MFAT New Zealand Scholarships |
Four different scholarships under one name
People often talk about "the Manaaki scholarship" as if it were one award. It is really a family of programmes:
- Full academic scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study in New Zealand
- Thematic Short Term Training Scholarships
- Vocational Short Term Training Scholarships
- English Language Training for Officials
Each type has its own criteria, and eligibility can differ by country of citizenship. A country may be eligible for one type and not another. When you check the official site, check the specific scholarship type, not just the programme as a whole. Most Pakistani students reading this will be interested in the academic scholarships for a bachelor's or master's degree, but if you work in government or a relevant sector, the short-term options are worth a look too.
What full funding means here
The programme is described as fully funded, and the list of what it covers is broad:
- Full tuition fees
- A living allowance
- An establishment allowance to help you settle in when you arrive
- Medical insurance
- Travel costs to and from New Zealand
- Home leave or reunion travel for certain long-term scholars
Two points deserve care. First, the exact amounts of the living and establishment allowances are not something we can quote here, so look them up on the official site for your intake rather than relying on figures you see in forums. Second, home leave or reunion travel applies only to certain long-term scholars. Do not assume you will qualify for it. Read the conditions for your scholarship type.
The five eligibility conditions, read closely
The official requirements are short, but each one carries weight:
- You must be a citizen of an eligible partner country.
- You must meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen course.
- You must meet English language proficiency requirements.
- You must show commitment to returning home after your studies.
- You must meet immigration requirements for a New Zealand student visa.
The first condition is the gatekeeper, as covered above. The second and third depend on the course and institution, so specific grades or test scores are set by the course you pick, and you should confirm them for that course. The fourth is where many otherwise strong applicants lose ground, because their statement of purpose reads like an immigration plan. The fifth means a scholarship offer does not replace the visa process. You still have to satisfy New Zealand immigration rules, so a clean, consistent document trail matters. Our guide to common student visa rejection reasons for Pakistani students covers the mistakes that tend to cause trouble.
Picking a course that fits your country's needs
You cannot choose any subject you like. The course must be available and relevant to your home country's development needs. Eligible fields vary, so confirm the current list on the official site before you build your application around a particular degree.
This is the part applicants get wrong most often. They pick a programme they find exciting and then try to retrofit a development story onto it. It works much better the other way around. Start with a real problem in your community or sector, find a course that equips you to work on it, and then show how you will use it when you return. A statement of purpose built like that answers the panel's main question without you having to force it.
The paperwork you need ready
The documents checklist for this programme is short:
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of citizenship
- English language test results
- Letters of reference
- Statement of purpose
Short does not mean quick. Transcripts from Pakistani universities and boards can take weeks to issue, and if any document needs attestation, that adds more time. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains that process. Ask your referees early, and give them enough context to write about your potential to contribute to development, not just your grades. Book your English test with enough time for results to arrive before the window closes.
How the application works
- Check whether your country is on the eligible list for the scholarship type you want.
- Review the specific eligibility criteria for that scholarship type.
- Research available courses and study subjects.
- Prepare all required documents.
- Submit your application through the official online portal while the window is open.
Before you apply, read the Manaaki Scholar Code of Conduct on the official site. It sets out what is expected of scholars, and knowing it will help you write an application that matches the programme's values. If you have a question the website does not answer, use the online enquiry form on the official site rather than guessing.
Why there is no fixed date to plan around
The application period varies, and both the opening date and the deadline should be confirmed on the official site. At the time this information was last verified, in May 2026, the status was listed as opening soon. That can change, so check the official website regularly for updates on the application window.
The practical answer to an uncertain timeline is to prepare as if the window opens next month. Gather transcripts and other documents well in advance. If everything is ready when the portal opens, you can spend your time on the statement of purpose instead of chasing paperwork.
Who this suits, and who should skip it
This scholarship suits someone whose country is on the eligible list, who has a clear idea of how their studies connect to their home country's development, and who genuinely intends to return. It also suits working professionals who could use one of the short-term training options.
It is a poor fit if you are looking for a route to stay in New Zealand after graduation, if you want to study a field with no obvious development link, or if your citizenship is not covered. In those cases, our list of all New Zealand scholarships may have something better aligned with your plans.
A few mistakes to avoid:
- Assuming Pakistan is eligible without checking the official country list
- Writing a generic statement of purpose that could be sent to any university
- Leaving document collection until the portal opens
- Relying on old deadlines from previous years instead of the official site
- Ignoring the return-home commitment or treating it as a formality
Frequently asked questions
Is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers tuition, a living allowance, an establishment allowance, medical insurance and travel to and from New Zealand. Home leave or reunion travel applies only to certain long-term scholars.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Only citizens of eligible partner countries can apply, and eligibility can differ by scholarship type. Check the current country list on the official website to see whether Pakistan is included for the scholarship you want.
Can I study any subject?
No. Your course must be available and relevant to your home country's development needs. Eligible fields vary, so confirm them on the official site.
When is the deadline?
The deadline varies. Confirm the current application window on the official website and check back regularly, since it can change.
Do I have to return home after my studies?
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to returning home after study. The whole programme is designed around scholars contributing to their home country's development.
What English test do I need?
You must meet English language proficiency requirements and submit test results. The exact test and score depend on your course, so confirm them with the institution and the official site.
For the latest country list, dates and conditions, go to the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website, and keep our Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships page handy for a quick summary.