Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2028 Intake: Eligibility, Benefits, Selection and How to Apply

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand government for students from eligible developing countries. They pay for full tuition, living costs and travel for study at New Zealand universities and institutes. Applications usually open in February and close in March, for study that starts the following year. The round for the 2028 intake is expected to open in February 2027.

This guide explains what the scholarship covers, who can apply, the selection process, what selectors look for and how to apply step by step. Dates are estimates until the round opens. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2028 intake at a glance

What do Manaaki Scholarships cover?

• Full tuition
• A living allowance
• Return travel
• An establishment allowance
• Medical and travel insurance

Who can apply?

• You are a citizen of an eligible country.
• You meet the age and work experience rules for your country.
• You meet university entry and English requirements.
• You agree to return home for at least two years after your studies.

Pakistan is not on the eligible list, so Pakistani citizens cannot apply. The eligible Asian countries are Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. The eligible Pacific countries include Fiji (postgraduate only), Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The full list, and the rules for each country, are on the official website. Check your country first, because the available study levels differ. The official website also says that tertiary applications have now closed, and the dates of the next round are not announced.

What selectors look for

The programme publishes the guidelines it uses. In general it wants scholars who:

• have strong academic ability and high grades;
• are committed to the social and economic development of their country;
• choose courses that match the recommended subjects for their country;
• have work experience relevant to their field, except school leavers;
• want to build positive relations with New Zealand;
• are 39 or younger when the scholarship starts.

The selection process

1. Screening: applications are checked against the eligibility rules and selection guidelines, and your course choices are compared with the recommended subjects for your country.
2. Psychometric test: you receive an email link to an abstract reasoning and personality test, which must be completed within 10 days.
3. Detailed assessment: your application is assessed in depth.
4. English level: you show your English competency during the process.
5. Interview: shortlisted candidates are interviewed.

Check your email often during selection. Missing the 10-day test window ends your application.

Expected timeline

These months follow earlier rounds. The official website publishes the exact dates for your country.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check that your country is eligible and read its rules.
2. Complete the online eligibility questionnaire.
3. Choose courses from the recommended subjects for your country.
4. Prepare transcripts, certificates, CV and referee details.
5. Apply online when the round opens.
6. Complete the test and attend the interview if you progress.

PhD applicants who pass the first stage must contact suitable supervisors.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Explain how your chosen course will help with a specific need in your country, and what you will do when you return.
• Choose courses from the recommended subjects for your country. This is checked at the first screening.
• Describe your work experience with clear duties and results.
• Practise abstract reasoning questions before the psychometric test, and take it somewhere quiet with a stable internet connection.
• Choose a qualification that moves you on from your highest one.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a course outside the recommended subjects.
• Missing the email with the psychometric test.
• Choosing a qualification at the same level as one you already hold.
• Giving no link between your study plan and your country’s development.

How to prepare your application

Your course choices

Start here, because it decides whether you pass the first screening. Find the recommended subjects for your country on the official website, then choose New Zealand courses that match them. Check that you meet the university’s entry and English requirements for each course.

Your development story

The application asks why you want to study and what you will do afterwards. Write about a real need in your country, the skills you lack to address it, how the course gives you those skills, and what you will do in your first two years back home. Use plain examples from your work or community.

Work experience

Describe your roles with dates, duties and results. Show the link between your job and the course. If you have led a team, a project or a community activity, say so, because leadership and commitment are part of what selectors look for.

Transcripts, certificates and referees

Prepare certified copies of your academic records and choose referees who know your work or studies well. Tell them about the scholarship’s aims so their comments are relevant.

English

Check the English requirement of your chosen university early. You will also be asked to show your English level during the selection process, so book a test in good time if you need one.

Preparing for the psychometric test and interview

• The test: it measures abstract reasoning and personality. Practise pattern and sequence questions online beforehand. Take the test on a computer, in a quiet place, with a reliable internet connection, and well before the 10-day limit runs out.
• The interview: expect questions about your study plan, your work, your country’s needs and your plans after you return. Prepare two or three specific examples of things you have achieved, and practise explaining them in clear English.
• Be consistent: what you say at interview should match what you wrote in your application.

A preparation plan

1. Three months before the round opens: check your country’s eligibility and recommended subjects.
2. Two months before: shortlist courses and universities, and check their entry and English requirements.
3. Six weeks before: collect transcripts and certificates, and contact your referees.
4. One month before: draft your answers about your study plan and development goals.
5. When the round opens: complete the eligibility questionnaire and the online application, and submit early.
6. After you submit: check your email every day for the psychometric test link.

After you are selected

Selection takes six to ten months, so results come well after you apply. Successful candidates are then helped with university admission and travel arrangements for the start of their studies in New Zealand. The scholarship covers your tuition, living allowance, travel and insurance, and you agree to return home for at least two years when you finish.

Similar scholarships to consider

• Australia Awards Scholarships: a similar government scholarship for study in Australia, also focused on development.
• Commonwealth Scholarship: UK government funding for master’s and PhD study, assessed partly on development impact.
• Chevening Scholarship: a one-year master’s degree in the UK for future leaders.

Final checklist before you submit

• Your country is on the eligible list for this round.
• You completed the online eligibility questionnaire.
• Every course you chose is in the recommended subjects for your country.
• You meet the entry and English requirements of the universities you listed.
• The qualification you chose is a step up from your highest one.
• Your answers explain a real development need and what you will do after you return.
• Your work experience is described with dates, duties and results.
• Your referees know they may be contacted.
• The email address in your application is one you check every day.

The last point matters more than it seems. The psychometric test link arrives by email with a 10-day limit, and applicants who miss it are removed from the process.

If you are not selected

Many applicants succeed on a second attempt. If you are unsuccessful, look at where you left the process. Leaving at the first screening usually points to course choices or eligibility. Leaving after the interview usually points to how clearly you explained your development plans. Strengthen that part, gain another year of relevant work experience and apply again in the next round.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS required?

You must meet university English requirements and show your English level during selection. The official site explains the accepted tests.

Is there an age limit?

The guidelines prefer applicants aged 39 or younger when the scholarship starts.

How long does selection take?

Six to ten months after applications close.

Do I have to return home?

Yes, for at least two years.

What is the psychometric test?

It is an online abstract reasoning and personality test. You get a link by email and have 10 days to complete it.

Do PhD applicants need a supervisor?

PhD applicants who pass the first stage are asked to contact suitable supervisors.

Where to apply

Apply through the official Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships website. See our Manaaki Scholarships page for the details in one place.