New Zealand Pacific Scholarships

Overview

New Zealand Pacific Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, the New Zealand Government’s international aid and development programme. They are managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The New Zealand Pacific Scholarships scheme recognises the very close personal, cultural, and economic ties that New Zealand enjoys with Pacific countries. A particular focus of the scheme is to increase the number of young students and high academic achievers studying in New Zealand and to build a new generation of Pacific leadership with strong links to New Zealand.

Countries eligible for New Zealand Pacific Scholarships

• Cook Islands
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Kiribati  Marshall Islands
• Nauru
• Niue
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

Click on the country links above for specific scholarship information, including local contacts.

General eligibility criteria

New Zealand Pacific Scholarships are open to candidates from government, civil society, private business organisations and qualified secondary school leavers to support both undergraduate and postgraduate study. Please note that all general eligibility criteria should be read along with the specific scholarships country information in the links above.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a citizen of an eligible country and have resided in that country for at least two years at the time of application
• not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australia or another developed country
• not be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds or is eligible to hold New Zealand, Australian or another developed country citizenship or permanent residence status. Note: applicants who are New Zealand citizens from the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and dual citizens of Samoa are exempt from this requirement
• be aged 17 years or over before the scholarship start date
• not hold or have held a New Zealand Government or Australia Government scholarship in the preceding 24 months at the time of application
• be commencing a new study or training programme, and not be seeking support for a training or degree programme already started in New Zealand or another country
• not have completed, or nearly completed, a qualification or training programme at a similar academic level unless strong developmental relevance is demonstrated
• be able to take up the scholarship in the academic year for which it is offered
• satisfy the admission requirements of the education institution at which the study programme is to be undertaken (including English language criteria)
• (for those applying directly from secondary school) have completed their senior schooling in their country of citizenship
• (for applicants from the work force) have been working in their country of citizenship, preferably for at least two years prior to application
• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to their home country’s public, private, or civil society sector (as relevant), and to the development of their country in general.

Applications are particularly welcomed from young people 24 years and under, strong academic performers, and those with leadership potential.

If offered a scholarship, you must:

• be able to satisfy the immigration requirements for international student entry to New Zealand (except New Zealand citizen awardees)
• not hold another scholarship during the period of the New Zealand Pacific Scholarships
• agree in writing that they will return to their home country for a minimum of two years following completion of the scholarship.

What the scholarships offer

Financial support arrangements offered by the New Zealand Pacific Scholarships differ depending on whether awardees hold New Zealand citizenship (Niue, Cook Islands, Tokelau, and dual citizens of Samoa) or do not hold New Zealand citizenship (all other Pacific countries and Samoan citizens).

Awardees who do not hold New Zealand citizenship will receive:

• full payment of tuition fees
• an establishment allowance of $3,000 for the first year, and $1,000 for each subsequent study year to contribute to set up costs, visa-related costs and textbooks
• a contribution to living expenses paid fortnightly as a contribution to basic living expenses. From 2012, $17,430 will be paid to undergraduate awardees over 42 weeks and $21,550 to postgraduate awardees over 52 weeks. It is expected that over the long study break most undergraduates will return home on paid home leave/reunion airfares or they will find work in New Zealand. Undergraduates who are required to study over the full year will continue to receive the living allowance over this time.
• a visa that entitles each student to work in New Zealand for up to 20 hours per week during their study period and full-time over the long summer break, and a full-time work permit for a dependant partner over the scholarship period.

Awardees from the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and Samoa who hold New Zealand citizenship will receive:

• tuition fees through a student loan under the New Zealand Student Loan Scheme
• course-related costs of up to $1,000 per year through a student loan under the New Zealand Student Loan Scheme
• contributions to living costs through the New Zealand Student Loan Scheme as a loan or allowance, depending on individual student circumstances. An allowance does not need to be paid back. Visit Study Link for more information
• New Zealand citizens who receive New Zealand Pacific Scholarships are personally liable to the New Zealand Government for the loans taken out during their study. Student loans will be paid back by the New Zealand Aid Programme based on an awardees’ employment in their home country after they complete their study. The repayment period is:
  • three years of study repaid after two years of employment
  • four years of study repaid after three years of employment
  • a maximum repayment period of four year
  If an awardee does not return to their home country after their study they will be personally liable for the full amount of their loan. If an awardee leaves their home country before their repayment period is completed, they will be personally liable for the remaining loan repayment.

  All New Zealand Pacific Scholarships awardees also receive the following benefits and opportunities

  • international air travel at the start and end of the scholarship
  • medical and travel insurance
  • travel to their home country during the scholarship for work attachments or practical training, home located research, reunion travel, home leave, and compassionate travel
  • introductory programmes prior to starting formal academic study
  • a contribution towards research and thesis costs
  • additional tutorial assistance if required
  • incentives for academic excellence that include an extra cash grant for top performers and additional study opportunities
  • leadership development opportunities
  • inclusion in a student alumni
  • pastoral and academic support through educational institutions

  Application process

  For information about the application process and timelines please see the scholarship information page for your home country.

  Terms and conditions

  All applicants who are offered an New Zealand Pacific Scholarships will be required to sign a contract with the New Zealand Government declaring they will comply with the terms and conditions of the scholarship.
  All awardees are required to return to their home country for a minimum period of two years following completion of their scholarship in order to contribute to their country’s economic and social development.

Contact information

IDGContracting@mfat.govt.nz

http://www.aid.govt.nz/funding-and-contracts/scholarships/types-scholarship/new-zealand-pacific-scholarships



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