New Zealand Nursing & Midwifery Scholarships 2025 — Fully Funded with Tuition, Travel, and Monthly Stipend

Introduction

Nursing and midwifery are practical, life-changing careers — and many countries in Africa and Asia are investing in returning health professionals who bring international training back home. New Zealand’s education system is globally respected, and in 2025 a number of fully funded scholarships exist that can make study in Aotearoa (New Zealand) both possible and sustainable.

But — important realism: not every scholarship labelled “New Zealand” covers everything for every applicant. Some programmes are targeted to partner countries and have obligations (for example, returning home for a period after study). Others are university scholarships that cover tuition but only partially cover living costs. This guide cuts through the noise and gives practical options, with a focus on those awards that include tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance.

Overview — what “fully funded” means in practice

When we say “fully funded” for New Zealand nursing & midwifery scholarships in 2025, we mean packages that typically include some or all of the following:

Full tuition coverage (tuition fees and compulsory enrolment fees).
Travel (economy return airfares from your home country to New Zealand and airport reception).
A living allowance or weekly/ monthly stipend to cover accommodation, food and basic living costs.
Health/travel insurance while in New Zealand.
Research or fieldwork allowances for higher degrees (where relevant).

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme (the government’s main international scholarship portal) offers a range of scholarship types — from full academic scholarships to short-term professional training — and is the place many partner countries use for funded study opportunities. If you are from a country that’s eligible, Manaaki scholarships can include tuition, travel and weekly living supplements (stipends).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) scholarship conditions document explicitly lists what MFAT funds within a scholarship award and confirms that MFAT-funded scholarships can cover travel, establishment allowances, weekly living supplements and full tuition fees for approved study programmes. Read the MFAT scholarship conditions for the precise legal entitlements and obligations.

Bottom line: the strongest fully funded packages (tuition + travel + stipend) are most commonly found in government-to-government scholarship programmes and in select university partnerships or donor-sponsored schemes. University scholarships alone sometimes cover tuition but not always travel or a full living stipend, so you’ll need to read each award’s “what it covers” section carefully.

Why New Zealand Nursing & Midwifery Scholarships 2025 matter (for Africa & Asia)

High-quality clinical training — New Zealand nursing and midwifery education blends theory, hands-on clinical placements and community health practice. The experience equips graduates to work in diverse settings, from hospitals to rural health posts.
Practical focus with global recognition — New Zealand qualifications are internationally recognised, which helps if you later pursue licensure or cross-border work.
Return-home impact — Many scholarships (especially those funded through development partnerships) require or expect scholars to return home to use their skills. That’s good for country health systems: your training translates into practical improvements.
Financial feasibility — Fully funded packages remove the financial barrier for talented applicants who lack resources, making world-class training realistic.
Networks and professional development — Scholarships often include conference allowances, mentorship and links to health services that multiply your career opportunities.

Key importance — who should read this guide

Aspiring nursing or midwifery students in Africa and Asia seeking funded international study.
Educators and hospital managers exploring sponsorships for staff to upskill.
Parents planning how to support an applicant and weighing scholarship options.
NGOs, ministries and health agencies aiming to build capacity through sponsored training.

If your main objective is a 100% tuition + travel + monthly stipend award to study nursing or midwifery in New Zealand in 2025, your best initial pathway is to check whether your country is in the Manaaki (MFAT) eligibility list, and then explore university scholarships or bilateral agreements that might provide additional top-ups.

Key insights — where the fully funded scholarships come from

There are three common routes to fully-funded nursing & midwifery training in New Zealand:

Government scholarships (Manaaki / MFAT / development scholarships) — These are negotiated between New Zealand and partner countries and often cover tuition, travel, living allowances and insurance. They are typically targeted at citizens of eligible partner countries and are issued through an application and nomination process. See the Manaaki programme for details and eligible countries.
University scholarships & donor funds — Some New Zealand universities and philanthropic trusts offer comprehensive awards for a small number of high-merit or need-based applicants. These may sometimes be combined with external support (e.g., from an employer or a development agency) to reach “fully funded” status.
Sponsored places / employer contracts — Ministries of Health, NGOs or hospitals sometimes sponsor employees to study overseas in exchange for return-service obligations. These packages can be very generous but depend on institutional budgets and agreements.

Important: MFAT (Manaaki) scholarships often include a condition that scholars return to their home country for a specified period (commonly two years) to apply their new skills. The MFAT Scholarship Conditions document states the scholarship entitlements and the return-home requirement clearly — it’s essential to read these terms closely before applying because they are legally binding.

Benefits — what a full package actually gives you

If you land a fully funded nursing or midwifery scholarship in New Zealand, expect benefits such as:

Zero or minimal tuition costs — you can focus on learning rather than loan repayments.
Flight coverage — travel to and from New Zealand is usually included, reducing up-front costs.
Monthly living allowance — this can cover rent, food, transport and basic essentials. (Exact amounts vary: MFAT uses a “weekly living supplement” in its entitlements.)
Orientation and initial accommodation support — many programmes include arrival reception and a short accommodation grant to settle in.
Insurance — health and travel insurance for the scholarship period.
Research or fieldwork funding — for higher degrees (MSc/PGDip/PGCert) that require fieldwork, MFAT lists research allowances where applicable.

These benefits make it possible to focus on clinical practice, research, or community nursing without the distraction of large personal financial burdens.

Table — quick comparison of typical funding routes

Funding Route	Typical coverage	Who it’s for	Pros	Cons
Manaaki / MFAT scholarships	Tuition, travel (return tickets), establishment allowance, weekly living supplement, insurance, research allowances (where relevant).	Citizens of eligible partner countries (development focus)	Very comprehensive; designed for capacity building	Often requires returning home for a set time; competitive
University / Trust scholarships	Tuition; some include stipends or accommodation grants	High-merit or need-based applicants	Direct link to university supports & placements	May not cover full travel or a full living stipend
Employer / government sponsorship	Varies — can be full tuition + stipend + return-service contract	Employed nurses / midwives sponsored by home institutions	Tailored to workforce needs; often cost-neutral to student	Obligations to employer; availability varies
Partial scholarships + savings/loans	Tuition or partial tuition	Wide applicant base	Greater likelihood of acceptance	Student must cover living costs and travel

Step-by-step guide — from “I want to apply” to “I’m accepted” (90-day sprint)

This beginner-friendly roadmap is focused on Manaaki/MFAT scholarship pathways and complementary university options, and assumes you’re applying from an eligible country in Africa or Asia.

Step 1 — Check eligibility & priorities (Days 1–3)

Go to the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships site and confirm whether your country is eligible and whether nursing / midwifery is an offered subject this round. Start there because it’s the most likely source of full packages.

Step 2 — Gather documents (Days 2–14)

Valid passport, academic transcripts, professional registration (if already a nurse), recent CV, references, and any work experience letters.
If English is not your first language, confirm if the scholarship accepts exemption (some awards permit English medium of instruction letters).

Step 3 — Get employer / ministry support (Days 4–20)

If your employer or Ministry of Health is likely to sponsor or support an application, contact them early. Sponsored candidates often need an employer endorsement.

Step 4 — Draft a compelling Statement of Purpose (Days 10–25)

Explain your clinical background, leadership experience, proposed study goals and how you’ll use the training to improve healthcare in your country. (A sample SOP structure is below.)

Step 5 — Submit the application (Days 20–40)

For Manaaki, you apply online via the scholarship portal; for university awards, apply directly to the university and tick the scholarship boxes. Deadlines vary by country and scheme — don’t miss them.

Step 6 — Prepare for interviews & selection (Days 40–70)

Shortlist interviews typically assess your mission, commitment to return, and ability to apply learning locally. Prepare concrete examples of impact.

Step 7 — If offered, read the MFAT Scholarship Conditions carefully (Days 70–80)

The MFAT document explains entitlements (travel, living supplements, tuition) and obligations (including returning home for a minimum period). Signing is legally binding. Read and ask questions before you accept.

Step 8 — Pre-departure steps (Days 80–90)

Visa application, health checks, arrival planning. Your scholarship letter will help with visa and financial proof.

Real-world examples — three short, practical stories (Africa & Asia focus)

These are composite, anonymized examples that reflect common, realistic pathways.

1) International student — Mercy (Kenya), Bachelor of Nursing (postgraduate bridging)

Mercy was a qualified nurse with three years’ experience. She applied for a Manaaki scholarship after her employer encouraged her to upskill. Her successful award covered tuition, her flights and a weekly living supplement. After completing a New Zealand-accredited post-registration course, she returned to her county hospital and launched a maternal-health quality improvement program.

2) Educator — Dr. Ahmed (Bangladesh), Midwifery MSc

A senior midwifery lecturer was sponsored by his university and applied for a university + MFAT co-funded fellowship. The scholarship paid for travel, accommodation and a monthly stipend so he could focus on curriculum redesign. Returning home, he implemented simulation-based training for student midwives.

3) Parent & applicant — Amina’s family (Nigeria), BSc Nursing applicant

Amina’s parents found a university scholarship that paid tuition and a small accommodation grant; she combined that award with a regional NGO top-up for travel and living costs. While not a single donor “fully funded” package, the combined approach made study feasible.

These examples show fully funded routes are most straightforward when a government scholarship (Manaaki / MFAT) is the main sponsor; otherwise, creative combinations of university awards, employer support and NGO grants are common.

Your Statement of Purpose — simple, strong structure (for nursing/midwifery scholarships)

Aim for 600–800 words. Keep it concrete, personal and impact-oriented.

Opening (2–3 lines): A short personal hook — what drove you to nursing/midwifery? (A patient story, a community need.)
Professional background (2 short paragraphs): Your training, work experience, clinical scope, and any leadership roles. Use numbers (e.g., “3 years at X hospital”, “managed Y patients per week”).
Study purpose (1 paragraph): Which New Zealand programme do you want and why? Link to skills you’ll gain (e.g., emergency obstetric care, community midwifery) and how that fits your country context.
Planned impact (1 paragraph): What will you do when you return? Be specific (train X midwives per year, reduce PPH by Y% through a new protocol). Scholarship bodies love measurable plans.
Why you are a great candidate (1 paragraph): Motivation, resilience, academic readiness. Mention endorsements or employer support if relevant.
Closing (2–3 lines): Restate commitment to return and contribute, and your gratitude.

Common mistakes — and how to avoid them

Mistake: Assuming every scholarship covers everything.
Fix: Always check “what this scholarship covers” and read the official scholarship conditions (MFAT’s document is the legal reference).
Mistake: Late or weak references.
Fix: Give referees your CV, SOP draft and a short list of achievements to make their letters strong.
Mistake: Failing to show realistic return impact.
Fix: Present a 2-year post-study plan with measurable activities (trainings, service delivery targets).
Mistake: Overlooking eligibility lists.
Fix: Check Manaaki eligibility for your country before preparing a full application.
Mistake: Ignoring scholarship obligations (e.g., return requirements).
Fix: Read MFAT scholarship conditions carefully; if you cannot commit to returning for the required period, discuss alternatives before accepting.

FAQs — concise and practical

Q: Are there New Zealand scholarships specifically for nursing and midwifery in 2025?
A: Yes — some Manaaki/MFAT rounds and select university awards accept nursing & midwifery as eligible study subjects. Check the Manaaki site’s course lists and eligible countries to confirm your opportunity.

Q: Will a Manaaki scholarship pay my airfare and monthly living costs?
A: MFAT scholarship conditions list travel (return economy flights), an establishment allowance, and a weekly living supplement (i.e., stipend) among typical entitlements for approved scholarships. Exact amounts vary by award.

Q: Do Manaaki scholarships require me to return home?
A: Many MFAT/Manaaki scholarships include obligations to return to your home country for a minimum period after study (commonly two years). The MFAT conditions document explains these requirements and the potential debt consequences of not complying.

Q: Can I work in New Zealand while on scholarship to supplement the stipend?
A: Many scholarships restrict other funding and have conditions on working; MFAT specifically requires scholars not to receive other scholarships for living costs during the scholarship period. Check the award terms.

Q: I don’t see my country on the Manaaki list — are there other options?
A: Yes — explore university scholarships, employer sponsorships, regional donor funding, or third-party NGOs that support health workforce training. These routes may require combining awards to cover full costs.

Sample timeline and checklist (6–12 months before intake)

9–12 months before: Check Manaaki eligibility, identify target programmes and supervisors (for postgraduate study).
6–9 months before: Gather transcripts, professional registration, and references. Draft SOP and CV.
4–6 months before: Submit Manaaki / MFAT application (or university scholarship application as required).
2–3 months before: Prepare for shortlisting interviews. Confirm employer/ministry support documents if required.
1 month before: If awarded, review MFAT scholarship conditions carefully, then begin visa processing with scholarship letter.

Practical advice for parents and sponsors

Get employer/ ministry buy-in early. Many scholarships require evidence of return placement or workplace absorption on return.
Budget for contingencies. Even with a fully funded award, you may need small upfront funds for visa processing, course materials or personal items.
Collect official documents early. Original transcripts, registration certificates and police checks can take time.

Conclusion — clear recap & call to action

Recap: Fully funded New Zealand nursing & midwifery scholarships in 2025 exist — especially through Manaaki / MFAT government programmes — and they can include tuition, travel and a weekly or monthly living allowance. However, eligibility is often tied to partnership countries and specific obligations (notably returning home to apply skills). Always check the official scholarship pages and the MFAT Scholarship Conditions before you accept an offer.

Call to action:

Check eligibility now: Visit the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships page and confirm whether your country and nursing/midwifery are supported.
If you want help: Paste your CV and the country you’re applying from here (in the chat) and I’ll draft a prioritized 3-month application plan and an 800-word SOP tailored to nursing/midwifery scholarships.

“Training that returns — the best scholarships are the ones that let you come home with the tools to serve.”