New Zealand has a small but clear set of scholarship options for Pakistani students. Four of the six entries below are fully funded government programmes built around the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, and the other two come from universities: the University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington. The government route suits students who want a fully funded place and, for postgraduate study, have work experience. The university route suits students who have already picked an institution and want to see what that university offers its own international students.
All New Zealand scholarships in one table
| Scholarship | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships | Fully Funded | Around April 10 (varies by country) |
| Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships | Fully Funded | Varies, confirm on official site |
| Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships | Fully Funded | Varies, confirm on official site |
| New Zealand Government Scholarships | Fully Funded | Varies, confirm on official site |
| University of Auckland International Scholarships | Full / Partial | Varies, confirm on official site |
| Victoria University of Wellington International Scholarships | Full / Partial | Varies, confirm on official site |
Four of these rows carry the same or a very similar name. They are separate guides on this site, each with its own page, so read the one that matches how you found the programme.
Fully funded Manaaki and government options
For a Pakistani student, this is the group to look at first. The Manaaki programme is New Zealand's fully funded development scholarship for citizens of eligible partner countries, and the data names Pakistan and Bangladesh among them. Postgraduate applicants need work experience, so a fresh graduate should read the eligibility details before investing time.
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships is fully funded and lists a deadline of around April 10, though it varies by country and some close earlier. Its status is opening soon. See the full details.
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships covers full funding for students from partner countries at undergraduate and postgraduate level, plus short-term vocational and English language training. The deadline varies, so confirm it on the official site. See the full details.
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships is described as fully funded for students and professionals from eligible developing countries, across tertiary education, vocational training and English language development. Again the deadline varies. See the full details.
- New Zealand Government Scholarships are known as Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships and are managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They fund tertiary education for international students. See the full details.
Between them, these entries make the strongest case for Pakistani applicants. They offer full funding, they name Pakistan as an eligible country, and they cover more than degrees: vocational and English language training are on the list too. The weak point is timing. Only the first entry gives an approximate date, so you will need to check the official site for the others.
University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington awards
Both university entries are marked Full / Partial, which means some awards cover everything and others only part of the cost. That makes them a useful second option, or a backup if the government route does not fit your work history.
- University of Auckland International Scholarships are scholarships and awards offering over $92 million in financial support annually to thousands of future and current undergraduate and postgraduate students. Its status is applications open, which makes it the only entry here you can act on right now. See the full details.
- Victoria University of Wellington International Scholarships support international students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across multiple faculties at Te Herenga Waka. See the full details.
The size of the Auckland figure suggests a wide pool of awards, but a large pool does not make any single award easy to win. Treat it as a reason to search the university's list carefully, not as a guarantee.
Choosing between the government and university routes
Start with your work history. If you are applying for postgraduate study and have the experience the Manaaki programme asks for, the fully funded government route is the better first target. If you are an undergraduate applicant, or you want to apply to a specific university, the Auckland and Wellington awards deserve equal attention.
You can apply to more than one. Keep a simple note of each deadline, since most of them vary and you will have to confirm them yourself.
Preparing your documents
Gather your transcripts, degree certificates, passport, English test results and references early, and get any work experience letters on proper letterhead. Our documents checklist for international scholarships lists what Pakistani applicants usually need, and the general scholarships guide for Pakistani students explains how the process works across countries.
Frequently asked questions
Are New Zealand scholarships open to Pakistani students?
The Manaaki programme is for citizens of eligible partner countries, and the data names Pakistan among them. The university awards are for international students in general.
Which option is fully funded?
The four government-linked entries are listed as fully funded. The Auckland and Wellington awards are listed as Full / Partial, so the amount depends on the award.
Do I need work experience?
The Manaaki guide states that postgraduate applicants need work experience. Check the individual guide for the level you are targeting.
When is the deadline?
One Manaaki entry lists around April 10, varying by country with some closing earlier. The rest vary, so confirm each one on the official website.
Why are there several guides with the same name?
Several entries describe the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships. Each has its own guide and page, so use the one that fits your search and compare against the official source.
Can I study something short, like English language training?
Two of the Manaaki entries mention short-term vocational and English language training alongside degrees.
For the details that decide an application, open the individual guides linked above and then check each official website for current deadlines and eligibility.