TeachNZ Scholarships and Financial Support
TeachNZ Scholarships are available for 2027 to help cover course fees and provide an allowance while you study. Below you’ll find an overview of the different TeachNZ Scholarships, their eligibility criteria, and what each scholarship offers.
If you miss the deadline for applying for a TeachNZ scholarship – see what other scholarships and financial support is available on our page explaining financial assistance and grants for training to be an ECE teacher .
Men intending to become an early childhood teacher may like to check out the Men in ECE Invitation scholarship.
TeachNZ undergraduate and graduate study scholarships
1. Te Huarau scholarship
130 of these TeachNZ scholarships for student teachers in any sector: ECE, primary and secondary. Applications for study starting in 2027 close on 31 August 2026.
- Course fees + allowance of $10,000 paid over the course of study (limited to 4 years)
- Eligibility criteria:
- NZ permanent residence or NZ citizen
- Students planning to teach in secondary, primary or ECE.
- It may help if you are a student who is Māori, Pacific or planning to teach in bilingual or immersion settings.
- It may also help if you are intending to study a short course e.g. a post-grad dip in ECE.
2. Te Tipu Whakarito scholarship
130 scholarships for student teachers in any sector: ECE, primary and secondary who are te reo Māori speakers (or intending to be) and who intend to teach in a Kaupapa Māori/Māori-medium setting. Applications for study starting in 2027 close on 31 August 2026.
- Course fees + maximum allowance of $10,000 over the course of study
- Eligibility criteria:
- NZ permanent residence or NZ citizen
- display a strong commitment to growing your proficiency in te reo Māori at a level that meets the requirements of your tertiary provider
- be studying to teach in Kaupapa Māori/Māori-medium immersion (levels 1-3)* early childhood education centres
- It may also help if you are intending to study a short course e.g. a post-grad dip in ECE.
* Māori immersion level 1 – curriculum is taught in te reo Māori for 81-100% of the time
Māori immersion level 2 – curriculum is taught in te reo Māori for 51-80% of the time
Māori immersion level 3 – curriculum is taught in te reo Māori for 31-50% of the time
Career Changer scholarships
1. Te Huawhiti Career-Changer
85 Te Huawhiti Career-Changer Scholarships are offered. To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be changing your career or profession to teaching and have at least 7 years of work experience or equivalent experience (either paid or unpaid) since leaving school.
The scholarship covers:
- programme fees to study an approved teaching programme
- an allowance of NZD$30,000 per year, over the period of your study (limited to 3 years).
Applications for study starting in 2027 close on 31 August 2026.
2. Te Waka Whakarei Career-Changer
90 Te Waka Whakarei Career-Changer Scholarships are offered. To be eligible, you must be changing your career or profession to teaching and looking to teach in Kaupapa Māori/Māori-medium settings. You must be a te reo Māori speaker or aspire to grow your proficiency in te reo and tikanga.
The scholarship covers:
- programme fees to study an approved teaching programme
- an allowance of NZD$30,000 per year, over the period of your study (limited to 3 years).
Applications for study starting in 2027 close on 31 August 2026.
High achieving Māori and Pacific students pursuing a career in teaching
Kupe Scholarship
20 scholarships for Māori and Pacific high achiever students (any sector). Applications for a 2027 Kupe scholarship close on 31 August 2026.
- Course fees paid plus a maximum of $15,000 over the course of study.
- Eligibility: Must be of Māori or Pacific descent. Must have Māori or Pacific cultural knowledge. Support from your iwi/Pacific community and Māori or Pacific leaders in your community. Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Have successfully completed at least one full year of an approved teaching qualification OR have academic excellence and be enrolled in one of the approved Graduate Diploma/Master of Teaching. Have a B+ grade average or above (applies to undergraduate only).
View information on applying for a TeachNZ scholarship and application form. If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Email: teachnz.admin@education.govt.nz Freephone: 0800 165 225
Learn about other scholarships and grants
