The New Zealand Government Scholarships, better known as the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, are the main government-funded route for international students who want to study at tertiary level in New Zealand. They are run by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and they are built around one idea: you study in New Zealand, gain skills, and then take those skills home to help your own country develop.
That last part shapes everything about this program, including who gets in. Before you spend weeks on an application, read this guide and then check the full scholarship details on our site alongside the official portal.
A development scholarship first, a study abroad ticket second
Many students treat every fully funded award as the same thing. This one is different. MFAT describes the aim as supporting human resource development in partner countries. In plain terms, New Zealand is investing in people it expects to return home and contribute. Your application is judged partly on whether your study plan makes sense for that goal.
So who does it suit? A mid-career professional or a strong graduate with a clear plan to work in their home country, in a field connected to that country's development needs. Who should think twice? Anyone whose real goal is to settle abroad. Applicants must show a commitment to return home after study, and a statement that reads like a migration plan will work against you.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships |
| Provider | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) |
| Funding | Fully funded (described as generally covering tuition, living costs and travel) |
| Study levels | Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master's Degree, PhD |
| Fields | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Country of study | New Zealand |
| Official site | nzscholarships.govt.nz |
The first question for Pakistani applicants: is your country on the list?
This is where most people should start, and where some will stop. Eligibility is restricted to citizens of specific partner countries identified by MFAT. The scholarships are targeted at citizens of partner countries in the Pacific, Southeast Asia and other regions as defined by MFAT, and the details depend on your country of origin and the bilateral agreements in place at the time.
Pakistan is not named as a partner country in the information we have. That does not mean it is excluded, but it does mean you should not assume you qualify. Go to the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website, find the list of eligible countries, and check whether Pakistani citizens can apply in the current round before you do anything else. If Pakistan is not listed, your time is better spent on other options, such as those in our guide to all New Zealand scholarships.
If you hold dual citizenship, check eligibility for each nationality separately, since the rules are set country by country.
The other conditions you have to meet
Once citizenship is settled, the remaining requirements are fairly standard, but each one can sink an application:
- You must meet the minimum academic entry requirements for the program you choose.
- You must meet English language proficiency requirements, through IELTS or TOEFL.
- You must show a commitment to return to your home country after your studies.
- You must meet New Zealand visa and immigration requirements.
The exact IELTS or TOEFL score is not something we can give you here, because it depends on the program and the current rules. Check the official site and the entry requirements of your chosen course, and plan for whichever is higher.
What MFAT pays for while you study
The package is broad. Scholars receive support across these areas:
- Full tuition fees
- A living allowance (stipend) for basic needs
- An establishment allowance to help with initial costs when you arrive
- Medical and travel insurance
- Travel to and from New Zealand
- Home leave or reunion travel for eligible long-term scholars
The amounts for the stipend and establishment allowance are not published in the material we hold, so do not build a budget on guesses. The official site is the place to confirm current figures. Also note the wording around home leave: it applies to eligible long-term scholars, so a short postgraduate certificate student should not count on it.
The scholarship is described as generally fully funded. "Generally" is doing some work in that sentence. Read the conditions for your specific scholarship category so you know whether anything falls outside the cover, such as costs for family members.
Which postgraduate level makes sense for you
The listed levels are Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master's Degree and PhD. The program typically focuses on postgraduate study, though the levels open to you depend on your country and the current agreements. Eligible fields also vary, so check what is on offer for your country before picking a course.
A practical point: choose the level that matches your career plan, not the longest or most prestigious one. A focused master's tied to a clear job back home often reads better than a vague PhD proposal.
The paperwork MFAT will ask for
The core documents are:
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Proof of English language proficiency
- A copy of your passport
- Letters of reference
- A statement of purpose or study plan
If any academic document is not in English, get it translated. Pakistani students usually have English-language degrees, but older certificates or documents from some boards may need attention. Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers how to organise transcripts, references and statements so nothing is missing at the last minute.
The statement of purpose is the document that carries the most weight for a development scholarship. It should explain what you will study, why it matters for your home country, and what you will do when you return. Specific beats ambitious. Name the sector, the problem and the kind of role you will take on.
Getting your application in during the open window
- Check your eligibility on the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website.
- Identify the specific scholarship category for your country.
- Prepare your academic and personal documents.
- Submit your application through the official online portal while applications are open.
- Wait for notification of selection results from the scholarship office.
All applications go through the official portal. There is no separate route through agents or third parties.
Why the deadline is hard to pin down
Opening dates and deadlines vary, and application windows differ by region. There is no single date that applies to everyone, which is why you should not trust a deadline you see repeated on social media. Bookmark the official portal and check it regularly.
The one thing you can control is preparation. English tests take time to book and results take time to arrive, so start the IELTS or TOEFL process well before any likely deadline. Reference letters also take longer than most applicants expect, because referees are busy people.
Mistakes that cost applicants a place
The biggest mistake is skipping the country check. People prepare a whole application and only then discover their nationality is not covered in that round.
The second is a study plan that has nothing to do with home. If your proposed field does not connect to the development needs of your country, you are working against the purpose of the program. Align your field with a real need and explain that link clearly.
The third is treating the return commitment as a formality. It is a listed eligibility requirement. Write about your return with the same seriousness as your study plans.
Finally, remember the visa. Winning the scholarship does not replace New Zealand visa and immigration requirements. Our guide on student visa rejection reasons for Pakistani students is useful reading before you reach that stage.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships?
Only if Pakistan is one of the partner countries in the current round. Eligibility is limited to citizens of specific countries identified by MFAT, with a focus on the Pacific, Southeast Asia and other regions MFAT defines. Check the country list on the official website.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
It is described as fully funded, generally covering tuition, living costs and travel. Confirm the exact cover for your scholarship category on the official site.
Can I use it for an undergraduate degree?
The listed levels are all postgraduate: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master's Degree and PhD. Levels can depend on your country, so check what applies to you.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Yes. You must meet English language proficiency requirements through IELTS or TOEFL. Check the required score for your program on the official site.
Do I have to go back home after finishing?
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to return to their home country after study. The program is designed so that graduates contribute to their home country's development.
Before you apply, confirm your country's eligibility and the current dates on the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website, and keep the New Zealand Government Scholarships page handy for a summary of the key details.