Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded Master’s & PhD Scholarships in New Zealand

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are fully funded scholarships supported by the New Zealand Government for students and professionals from eligible developing countries. The programme provides international students with the opportunity to pursue higher education in New Zealand while developing knowledge, skills and leadership capacity that can contribute to the development of their home countries.

For applicants from Tanzania and other eligible African countries, Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships can provide an excellent opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies in areas connected to national development priorities.

The scholarship can cover major study and living expenses, including tuition fees, living support, travel, insurance and other approved costs.

Scholarship Summary

Scholarship Name: Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2027
Host Country: New Zealand
Study Level: Master's, PhD and other eligible tertiary programmes
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Eligible Applicants: Citizens of selected eligible developing countries
African Applicants: Citizens of eligible African countries
Study Mode: Full-time
IELTS Requirement: Not required at the initial scholarship application stage
English Test Later: Shortlisted applicants may be required to provide an approved English-language test
Applications Open: To be announced for the 2027 tertiary scholarship round
Application Deadline: To be announced; deadlines may vary by country
Application Method: Online
Study Destination: New Zealand

What Is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship?

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are part of New Zealand's international development programme.

The scholarship is designed to help people from eligible developing countries gain knowledge and qualifications that can contribute to the development of their home countries.

The programme therefore looks beyond academic performance. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed studies connect with their career, community and national development goals.

A successful applicant should be able to explain:

Why they want to study the selected programme.
How their previous education and experience prepared them.
Why the selected field is important.
How the scholarship will help them develop.
How they will use their new knowledge after returning home.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful scholars can receive a comprehensive package of financial and academic support.

Depending on the scholarship conditions, benefits include:

1. Full Tuition Fees

The scholarship covers approved tuition fees for the selected programme in New Zealand.

2. Living Allowance

Scholars receive a living allowance to help cover everyday living expenses during their studies.

3. Establishment Allowance

An establishment allowance is provided to assist with initial costs when the scholar arrives in New Zealand.

This can help with expenses such as:

Accommodation setup
Study materials
Textbooks
Other initial living expenses

4. Medical Insurance

Scholars receive medical insurance during their approved study period in New Zealand.

5. Travel Costs

The scholarship provides support for approved international travel between the scholar's home country and New Zealand.

6. Travel Insurance

Eligible scholars receive travel insurance under the scholarship arrangements.

7. Home Leave Travel

Depending on the length of the scholarship, eligible scholars may receive support for travel home during their studies.

8. Reintegration Allowance

A reintegration allowance may be provided to assist scholars with costs associated with returning and settling back into their home country.

9. Research and Thesis Support

Postgraduate students may receive financial support for approved research and thesis-related expenses.

10. Academic Support

Additional academic support may be available where required under the scholarship conditions.

Study Levels

The Manaaki programme supports different study levels depending on the applicant's country and available scholarship categories.

Eligible programmes may include:

Undergraduate study
Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma
Master's Degree
PhD

For students specifically interested in Master's and PhD study, it is important to confirm that the desired study level is available to applicants from their country.

IELTS Requirement

Can You Apply Without IELTS?

Yes, at the initial scholarship application stage.

Applicants do not need to submit an IELTS result when initially applying for a Manaaki tertiary scholarship.

However, shortlisted applicants may later be required to demonstrate English-language proficiency through an approved test.

Accepted tests can include:

IELTS
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
Cambridge Academic English

For postgraduate applicants, the programme provides general English-language guidelines, although individual academic programmes may have different requirements.

Therefore:

IELTS at initial application: Not required

English test after shortlisting: May be required

Applicants should not claim that the scholarship is permanently "IELTS-free." The correct explanation is that IELTS is not required at the initial scholarship application stage.

English Language Requirements

For postgraduate study, the general English-language guidelines include:

IELTS: Overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT: 90 with a writing score of 21
PTE Academic: 58 with no communicative skills score below 50
Cambridge Academic English: 176 overall with no band below 169

These should be treated as general guidelines. The exact English requirement can depend on the selected programme and institution.

Eligible Countries

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are available only to citizens of countries listed as eligible by the programme.

Applicants should check the official country list before applying.

Eligible countries can include selected countries from:

Africa
Asia
Pacific countries
Caribbean
Latin America

Eligible African Countries

Eligible African countries can include countries such as:

Tanzania
Kenya
Uganda
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Ghana
Nigeria
South Africa
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Malawi
Botswana
Namibia
Lesotho
Mauritius
Egypt
Tunisia
Algeria

Important: The exact eligible-country list and available study subjects can change. Applicants must confirm their own country's eligibility through the official Manaaki website before applying.

Official eligible countries page:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/check-eligible-countries/

Why Tanzanian Students Should Consider Manaaki

For eligible Tanzanian applicants, the scholarship can provide an opportunity to gain international education while developing skills that can be applied in Tanzania.

Potential areas of impact include:

Agriculture
Health
Biotechnology
Environmental management
Climate change
Renewable energy
Food security
Education
Governance
Economics
Trade
Sustainable development
Public-sector development

The strongest applications should demonstrate a clear connection between the proposed study and Tanzania's development needs.

Eligible Fields of Study

The exact eligible subjects vary according to country, so applicants must check the official subject list.

Depending on the applicable country priorities, areas may include:

Agriculture

Agricultural Science
Agricultural Economics
Agribusiness
Food Security
Crop Science
Animal Science
Sustainable Agriculture

Environment

Environmental Science
Climate Change
Natural Resource Management
Conservation
Environmental Management

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy
Energy Management
Sustainable Energy
Geothermal Energy
Energy Policy

Health

Public Health
Global Health
Health Systems
Health Policy
Epidemiology

Science and Technology

Biotechnology
Computer Science
Information Technology
Data Science
Engineering
Applied Sciences

Business and Economics

Economics
Finance
Business Administration
International Business
Trade
Entrepreneurship
Development Economics

Governance and Development

Public Administration
Public Policy
Development Studies
International Development
Governance
Leadership

Education

Education
Educational Leadership
Curriculum Development
Education Policy
Educational Management

Applicants should not assume that every subject listed above is available for every country. Always check the official study-subject information for your country.

Official study subjects:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/study-subjects/

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the programme's eligibility requirements.

1. Citizenship

You must be a citizen of an eligible Manaaki country.

2. Age

Applicants must generally be at least 18 years old when accepting the scholarship.

The programme does not have a formal upper age limit, although preference may be given to applicants under 40.

3. Residency

Applicants are generally expected to have lived in their country of citizenship for at least two years immediately before applying, subject to the programme's exceptions.

4. Work Experience

Postgraduate applicants generally need relevant work experience.

This can include:

Paid employment
Unpaid employment
Voluntary work

Applicants may generally qualify with one year of full-time work experience or two years of part-time work experience.

5. Academic Qualification

You must have the academic qualifications required for the proposed programme.

For Master's applicants, this normally means holding an appropriate Bachelor's degree.

For PhD applicants, you need to satisfy the academic requirements of the proposed doctoral programme.

6. English Language Ability

Applicants do not need an English test result at the initial scholarship application stage.

Shortlisted candidates may later be required to take an approved English-language test.

7. Development Commitment

Applicants should demonstrate how their education will contribute to development in their home country.

Return-Home Requirement

Manaaki is different from many scholarships because it has a strong development focus.

Scholars are expected to return to their home countries and contribute to their country's social or economic development after completing their scholarship.

The programme expects scholars to contribute to their home country for at least two years after completing their scholarship study.

Therefore, your application should clearly explain:

What will you do after graduation?

For example:

After completing my Master's degree, I intend to return to Tanzania and apply the knowledge and skills gained to strengthen laboratory services and contribute to research and public-health initiatives.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents and information required for the application.

Commonly required materials include:

Academic Documents

Degree certificate
Academic transcripts
Grading scale
Relevant academic certificates
Research documents where applicable

Personal Documents

Valid passport or acceptable identification
Personal information
Contact information

Professional Documents

Updated CV
Employment history
Work experience information
Professional qualifications
Voluntary experience where relevant

Postgraduate Documents

Depending on the programme, applicants may need:

Research proposal
Thesis information
Research publications
Research experience
Potential supervisor information

Documents to Prepare Before Applications Open

Applicants should not wait until the application portal opens.

Prepare your:

Passport
Degree certificates
Academic transcripts
Updated academic CV
Employment information
Research information
Motivation letter
Professional references
Leadership information
Community involvement information

Having these ready can make the application process much easier.

PhD Applicants

PhD applicants should begin preparation early.

A strong PhD applicant should identify suitable research areas and potential supervisors at New Zealand universities.

Prepare:

Master's certificate
Master's transcript
Academic CV
Research proposal
Research publications, if any
Research experience
Research interests
Potential supervisor information

Applicants reaching the interview stage may need to demonstrate that they have secured or are actively communicating with a potential supervisor.

Do You Need a University Admission Letter?

You generally do not need to have a final university admission letter before submitting the initial Manaaki scholarship application.

Applicants should first check that they meet the likely academic and English requirements of their proposed programme.

If selected as a preferred candidate, applicants then proceed with the relevant university admission process.

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Country Eligibility

Visit:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/check-eligible-countries/

Confirm that your country is eligible.

Step 2: Check Your Country's Study Subjects

Visit:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/study-subjects/

Identify the subjects available to applicants from your country.

Step 3: Check Eligibility

Visit:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/check-eligibility-criteria/

Check:

Age
Citizenship
Residency
Academic qualifications
Work experience
English requirements
Other eligibility conditions

Step 4: Research Your Programme

Choose a programme that connects with:

Your previous education
Your professional experience
Your career goals
Your country's development priorities

Step 5: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare all required academic and professional documents.

Step 6: Prepare Your Application Answers

Spend sufficient time developing strong answers explaining:

Your motivation
Leadership experience
Development impact
Career plans
Proposed study
Contribution to your country

Step 7: Submit Online

Apply through the official Manaaki application system when applications open.

Official application information:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/how-to-apply-for-a-scholarship/

Step 8: Wait for Selection

Applications go through the relevant selection process.

Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for additional requirements.

Step 9: English Test

If required, shortlisted candidates may need to take an approved English-language test.

Step 10: University Admission

Preferred candidates proceed with the required university admission process.

Application Timeline

Applications Open

2027 Opening Date: To Be Announced

The official opening date for the 2027 tertiary scholarship round should be confirmed through the official Manaaki website.

Application Deadline

2027 Deadline: To Be Announced

The deadline can depend on the applicant's country.

Some application systems may close early if a country receives a high volume of applications.

Applicants should therefore apply as early as possible.

Official application dates:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/application-opening-and-closing-dates-for-your-country/

How to Write a Strong Manaaki Scholarship Application

1. Explain Your Development Problem

Identify a real problem affecting your country or community.

2. Explain Your Proposed Solution

Show how your proposed education can help address the problem.

3. Connect Your Experience

Explain how your previous education and professional experience prepared you for the programme.

4. Demonstrate Leadership

Include examples of:

Community leadership
Professional leadership
Student leadership
Volunteer work
Research leadership
Projects you initiated

5. Explain Your Future Plan

Your future plan should be realistic and specific.

6. Explain Your Impact

Tell the selection committee what will change because of your education.

Example of a Strong Career Goal

Weak:

I want to help my country after graduation.

Strong:

After completing my Master's degree, I intend to return to Tanzania and apply my expertise in environmental management to support climate-resilient development projects. I aim to work with government institutions, research organizations and development partners to strengthen evidence-based environmental policies and community adaptation programmes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not:

Apply without checking country eligibility.
Select a course unrelated to your background without explaining the transition.
Ignore your country's recommended study subjects.
Copy application answers from the internet.
Submit false information.
Wait until the final day to apply.
Assume every African country is eligible.
Assume every programme is available to every applicant.
Claim that IELTS is never required.
Forget the return-home requirement.
Submit poorly written application answers.

Why This Scholarship Is Competitive

Manaaki attracts applicants who want to study in New Zealand while developing skills that can benefit their home countries.

Therefore, meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.

Applicants should demonstrate:

Academic ability
Relevant experience
Leadership
Development commitment
Clear career direction
Strong communication
A logical connection between study and development
Potential for future impact

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for successful scholars, including tuition fees and various living, travel, insurance and other approved costs.

Can I apply without IELTS?

Yes. IELTS is not required at the initial tertiary scholarship application stage. Shortlisted applicants may later need an approved English-language test.

Can Tanzanian students apply?

Eligible Tanzanian citizens can apply when Tanzania is included in the applicable scholarship round and subject list.

Can all African countries apply?

No. Manaaki is available only to citizens of countries specifically identified as eligible.

Can I apply for a Master's degree?

Yes, where Master's-level study is available to applicants from your country.

Can I apply for a PhD?

Yes, where PhD study is available under your country's scholarship eligibility.

Do I need work experience?

Postgraduate applicants generally need relevant work experience according to the programme's eligibility requirements.

Do I need IELTS before applying?

No, not for the initial tertiary scholarship application. However, an English test may be required later if shortlisted.

Do I need to return home?

Yes. Returning home and contributing to your country's development is an important condition of the scholarship.

Official Links

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Official Website

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/

Eligible Countries

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/check-eligible-countries/

Eligibility Criteria

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/check-eligibility-criteria/

Study Subjects

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/study-subjects/

How to Apply

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/how-to-apply-for-a-scholarship/

Application Opening and Closing Dates

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/application-opening-and-closing-dates-for-your-country/

Before You Apply

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/before-you-apply/

Final Summary

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 2027 offer an excellent fully funded study opportunity for eligible students and professionals from selected developing countries.

The scholarship can provide full tuition fees, living allowance, establishment allowance, medical insurance, travel support, travel insurance, reintegration assistance and research/thesis support, depending on the scholarship conditions.

For students from Tanzania and other eligible African countries, the most important step is to select a programme that aligns with the development priorities of their country and clearly explain how the qualification will be used after returning home.

Applications Open: To be announced for the 2027 tertiary scholarship round

Application Deadline: To be announced; country-specific deadlines apply

IELTS: Not required at the initial scholarship application stage; shortlisted applicants may later need an approved English-language test

Study Levels: Master's, PhD and other eligible tertiary programmes

Funding: Fully Funded

Host Country: New Zealand

Official Application Website:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/