Table of Contents
The Full Package
This is one of the most generous development scholarships available. Unlike many scholarships that cover tuition and leave you scrambling for living costs, Manaaki covers essentially everything. Your fees, your rent money, your flights, your health insurance, even a settling-in allowance when you land.
But there are specific things it does not cover, and those catch people off guard. The biggest one: dependents. If you are planning to bring your family, that cost is entirely on you. More on that below.
Let's walk through every component of the scholarship, dollar by dollar, so you know exactly what to expect.
What Is Covered
Here is every benefit included in the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship. Each one is paid or arranged by MFAT (New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) on your behalf.
Full Tuition Fees
All university fees are paid directly by the scholarship. You do not see a tuition bill. MFAT pays the institution on your behalf for the entire duration of your programme.
Living Allowance
That works out to NZ$982 fortnightly. Paid into your NZ bank account every two weeks, all 52 weeks of the year, including holidays. This is your money for rent, food, transport, and daily life.
Establishment Allowance
The initial NZ$3,000 is for setting up your life: bond payments, bedding, cookware, a winter jacket. If your programme runs longer than one year, you get an additional NZ$1,000 at the start of each full subsequent year.
Return Airfare
Economy class flights from your home country to New Zealand at the start and from New Zealand back home at the end. MFAT arranges and pays for these directly.
Reunion Travel
For scholars studying 1.6 years or longer, MFAT provides one to two return trips home during the scholarship period. This is specifically for maintaining family connections during longer programmes.
Medical and Travel Insurance
Comprehensive health and travel insurance for the duration of your scholarship. This is a big deal because it covers pre-existing conditions. Many international student insurance plans do not. Doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, emergency travel, all covered.
Additional Tutoring Support
If you need extra academic coaching, writing support, or language help, you can access up to NZ$1,000 in tutoring funding. This is arranged through your institution.
Research and Thesis Costs
For postgraduate students, the scholarship covers costs related to your research and thesis. Fieldwork, printing, binding, laboratory fees, data collection expenses. The specifics depend on your programme, but you will not be left paying for research out of your living allowance.
Reintegration Allowance
A one-off payment to help you resettle in your home country after completing your studies. More on the reality of this amount further down.
The Living Allowance Reality Check
NZ$615 per week sounds generous. And compared to many scholarships, it is. But New Zealand is not a cheap country, and the gap between "sounds good" and "lives well" depends entirely on where you end up and how you manage your money.
Here is what NZ$615 per week actually looks like once the bills start arriving:
Weekly Budget Breakdown
Location matters a lot
Auckland is significantly more expensive than Dunedin or Christchurch. Rent in Auckland can eat through NZ$250-300 per week for a decent shared flat, while the same quality costs NZ$150-200 in Dunedin. Budget accordingly and factor in your university city when planning finances.
That remaining NZ$90-280 per week is for everything else. Clothing, social life, unexpected expenses, the odd weekend trip. It is enough if you are careful, but you are not going to be living lavishly. Cook at home, share flats, use public transport, and you will be fine. Try to live a solo apartment, eat-out-every-day lifestyle, and you will run out fast.
What Is NOT Covered
This section matters more than most people expect. Read it carefully before making plans, especially if you have a family.
Not included in your scholarship
- × Family and dependent travel costs. Flights for your partner or children are not covered.
- × Family visa fees. Partner and dependent visa applications cost money. That is on you.
- × Family insurance. Your insurance covers you only. Your dependents need their own cover.
- × Family accommodation and living expenses. You get one living allowance. A bigger flat, more food, more everything, those extra costs are yours.
- × Any costs your partner or children incur. Schooling, childcare, medical expenses for family members.
- × Costs beyond basic living. Entertainment, vacation travel, gym memberships, non-essential expenses.
The scholarship provides ZERO financial support for dependents. If you are bringing family, every cost for them comes from your pocket or their own resources. This is the single most important financial fact to understand before accepting.
Comparison with Similar Scholarships
How does Manaaki stack up against other major government-funded scholarships? Here is a side-by-side comparison of the key financial components:
| Feature | Manaaki NZ | Australia Awards | Chevening | DAAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Full | Full | Full | Full (at public unis) |
| Monthly Stipend | ~NZ$2,665/mo | ~AU$3,500/mo | GBP 1,215-1,516/mo | EUR 934/mo |
| Establishment | NZ$3,000 | AU$5,000 | Arrival allowance | None |
| Flights | Return economy | Return economy | Return economy | Travel allowance |
| Insurance | Full (incl. pre-existing) | OSHC provided | Not included | Health insurance |
| Family Support | None | Limited stipend top-up | None | Family allowance available |
| Duration | Up to 4 years | Up to 4 years | 1 year only | Varies (10-42 months) |
| Return Obligation | Yes (2 years) | Yes (2 years) | Yes (2 years) | No formal obligation |
Figures are approximate and based on publicly available information for 2025-2026. Actual amounts vary by programme and country. Manaaki monthly stipend calculated as NZ$615 x 52 / 12.
Part-Time Work
Can Manaaki scholars work while studying? The short answer is: technically yes, but with conditions.
During Term
25 hrs
per week maximum
Your student visa allows up to 25 hours of work per week during the academic term.
During Holidays
Full-time
no hourly limit
During scheduled holiday periods, you can work full-time hours.
Important conditions
- Scholarship conditions may require written approval from MFAT before you take on any paid work. Check your scholarship agreement carefully.
- The minimum wage in New Zealand from April 2026 is NZ$23.95/hour. At 25 hours per week, that is roughly NZ$599 before tax.
- Short-term training scholars cannot work at all. This restriction applies to scholars on programmes shorter than two academic semesters.
Realistically, most scholars find that their academic workload leaves limited time for part-time jobs. A Master's programme in New Zealand is demanding. If you do work, keep it light during term and save the longer hours for breaks. Do not rely on part-time income to cover basic living costs. Treat it as supplementary money, not a lifeline.
The Reintegration Allowance
NZ$1,000 to restart your life back home. That is it.
NZ$1,000
One-time payment upon returning to your home country
If you have been away for two to four years, reconnecting with your professional network and settling back in costs far more than this. Rent deposits, new work clothes, transport while job hunting, professional memberships that lapsed, the list goes on. NZ$1,000 helps, but it is not going to cover your reintegration in any meaningful way.
Plan ahead
- Start saving a small amount each month during your scholarship for your return transition.
- Keep your professional network at home warm while you are away. Do not disappear for four years.
- Begin job applications or reconnecting with employers three to six months before your return date.
- Factor in that you may need one to three months of living costs back home before your first paycheck arrives.