Approved Universities for Manaaki Scholars

Only 10 Approved Institutions

You can’t study anywhere in New Zealand on this scholarship. The Manaaki programme has a fixed list of 10 approved institutions — 8 universities and 2 institutes of technology. Pacific students have two additional options. According to the official site, QS ranks New Zealand’s universities in the top 3% worldwide, so there’s no bad choice academically. The real question is which city, which programme, and which campus culture fits your needs.

The differences between these institutions are significant when it comes to daily life. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city with the highest cost of living, while Dunedin and Palmerston North are small, student-dominated towns where your scholarship allowance goes much further. Some universities are research-heavy, others are more applied. Some have massive international student communities, others feel like small family campuses. This page breaks down all of that so you can make an informed choice.

New Zealand’s Approved Universities

Each university has a distinct personality, location, and academic strength. Here is what you need to know about all eight. Rankings are from the QS World University Rankings 2026.

University of Auckland

New Zealand’s top-ranked university and the only one in the QS top 100. Five subjects rank in the global top 50. It has the largest international student population in the country, with over 7,000 students from more than 120 countries. If you want academic prestige and the widest range of programmes, this is the default choice. Known for sports sciences, archaeology, education and engineering.

Good to know: located in NZ’s biggest city — most career and networking opportunities, but also the most expensive place to live. Your scholarship allowance will feel tighter here than anywhere else.

University of Otago

New Zealand’s oldest university, established in 1869. The only university in the country that offers Dentistry, which ranks 12th globally, and one of only two medical schools in New Zealand. Famous for its student flat culture — entire neighbourhoods are populated almost entirely by students. Reports 98% student satisfaction. If you want a true campus community where everyone knows each other, this is it. Strengths: dentistry, medicine, health sciences and sciences.

Good to know: Dunedin is the most affordable student city in NZ. Your scholarship allowance goes the furthest here. The city is walkable, compact, and built around the university. It does get cold in winter — Dunedin is one of the southernmost cities in the world.

Victoria University of Wellington

New Zealand’s top law school and ranked number one nationally for Politics, International Studies, and Linguistics. Situated in the capital city, right next to Parliament — which makes it the ideal pick if your studies relate to policy, law, governance, or public administration. Wellington is compact and walkable, with strong arts and café culture. Be warned: it is famously windy. Not a metaphor. Genuinely windy.

Good to know: if you are studying anything related to government, development policy, or international relations, being in Wellington gives you proximity to the actual institutions you are studying. That matters more than most people realise when it comes to networking and career exposure.

Massey University

The only university in New Zealand that offers Veterinary Medicine, Aviation, Dispute Resolution, and Nanoscience. Strong in agriculture and food technology — which matters because many Manaaki-eligible countries list these as priority development areas. Multi-campus flexibility means you can study in Palmerston North, Auckland, or Wellington depending on the programme.

Good to know: Palmerston North is very affordable and student-dominated. It is a small city, but that means everything is close and the community is tight. If your focus is agriculture, veterinary science, or food security, Massey is the strongest option in the country.

University of Canterbury

Strong in engineering and science, with a well-regarded business school. Over 150 student clubs and a campus that feels spacious and green. Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island, rebuilt and modernised after the earthquakes. It is bike-friendly, relatively flat, and gives you easy access to mountains and ski fields. A good middle ground between city convenience and outdoor lifestyle.

Good to know: more affordable than Auckland and Wellington. The city has been rebuilt with modern infrastructure, and the university campus is one of the most attractive in the country. Good choice if you want a city that is big enough to have everything you need but not overwhelming.

University of Waikato

The most diverse university in New Zealand, with over 20% international students. Strong programmes in engineering, education, science, and technology. Hamilton is a relaxed, affordable city in the Waikato region — not flashy, but friendly and easy to settle into. It is also the gateway to some of NZ’s most famous tourist sites.

Good to know: Hamilton is affordable and near Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves if you want weekend adventures. The campus has a strong international community, so you will not feel isolated. Good pick if you want a friendly, low-stress environment where you can focus on your studies.

Lincoln University

New Zealand’s specialist land-based university. If your country’s development priorities include agriculture, environmental management, sustainability, or commerce related to natural resources, Lincoln is purpose-built for those areas. It is the smallest university on the list, which means a close-knit community where staff know your name and support is personal rather than institutional.

Good to know: located in the Lincoln township, about 20 minutes from Christchurch city centre. Very affordable area to live. You get the small-campus experience with access to Christchurch amenities nearby. Best choice if you value a tight community over big-city buzz.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

An innovative university with a strong applied research focus and deep industry partnerships. Hospital-based medical instruction gives health science students hands-on experience from day one. AUT is more practice-oriented than the University of Auckland — less about pure theory, more about preparing you for the workplace. Strengths: applied research, health sciences, industry partnerships and business.

The 2 Institutes of Technology

These are not universities in the traditional sense. They focus on practical, career-oriented qualifications. If your field is vocational or applied, these might be a better fit than a research university.

Southern Institute of Technology

Invercargill. Located in New Zealand’s most southern city. Invercargill is small, quiet, and very affordable. If your priority is low living costs and a focused study environment without urban distractions, this is it. Practical programmes with a strong emphasis on getting you job-ready.

Unitec Institute of Technology

Auckland. Unitec offers practical, career-focused programmes. It gives you the advantages of being in New Zealand’s largest city — job opportunities, networking, cultural diversity — with a more applied, hands-on learning style. Good for students who want a practice-oriented qualification rather than a research degree.

Pacific-Only Options

If you are a citizen of Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu, you have two additional institutional options that are not available to other Manaaki applicants. These are for studying at a Pacific university rather than in New Zealand:

• University of the South Pacific — regional university serving multiple Pacific nations; scholars can study at any of its campuses.
• Fiji National University — national university based in Fiji.

City Cost Comparison

Your weekly allowance is NZ$615 regardless of which city you live in. That means your choice of city directly affects how much financial breathing room you have. Here is what to expect.

The maths matters. In Auckland, your basic weekly costs (rent + food + transport) could be NZ$390–520. In Palmerston North, the same costs are NZ$245–340. That is a potential difference of NZ$145–180 per week — money that stays in your pocket in a cheaper city. Your NZ$615 weekly allowance is the same no matter where you study.

How to Choose Your University

This is not a prestige contest. The right university for you is the one that offers the programme your country needs, in a city you can afford, at a campus where you will thrive. Here is the order of priorities that actually works for Manaaki scholars.

1. 1
   Match your programme to your country’s priority development subjects first

   Your application will be assessed on how well your chosen programme aligns with your country’s development needs. Start there. If your country has flagged agriculture as a priority, look at Massey and Lincoln. If it is public health, look at Auckland, Otago, or AUT. The programme fit is what gets you selected.

2. 2
   Compare which universities offer that programme

   Not every university offers every programme. Some specialisations exist at only one or two institutions. Check the course catalogues before falling in love with a city. Your preferred programme might not be available there.

3. 3
   Factor in cost of living

   Your allowance is the same regardless of city. That means studying in Auckland on NZ$615 per week is a fundamentally different financial experience than studying in Dunedin on NZ$615 per week. If you have a family or want financial breathing room, cheaper cities make a real difference to your quality of life.

4. 4
   Consider campus culture and support for international scholars

   Some universities have dedicated Manaaki scholar support offices. Others have large international communities where you will find people from your country or region. Otago has the strongest campus community feel. Waikato has the highest percentage of international students. Auckland has the most diversity overall. Think about what kind of social environment helps you study best.

5. 5
   Auckland gives the most career exposure but costs the most

   If networking, internship opportunities, and exposure to industry matter for your field, Auckland is hard to beat. It is New Zealand’s economic centre. But you will pay for it in rent, food, and transport. Wellington is a good middle ground if your field is government or policy-related.

6. 6
   Dunedin and Palmerston North give the most financial breathing room

   If you want to save money, send funds home, or simply not worry about making ends meet every week, these two cities stretch your allowance the furthest. Both are genuine student towns where the university is the centre of everything. The trade-off is fewer job opportunities and less big-city excitement.