English Language Training for Officials Scholarship

The New Zealand Government offers scholarships to government officials from eligible African and Asian countries to come to New Zealand for English language training.

"In New Zealand, there was such great support, especially from the scholarships team. Even after I returned to Laos they still share their knowledge and connections with very inspiring people from across the region."

Thepmala Sadettan - Manaaki alumni

The New Zealand Government offers Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for English language training for government officials from Asia (NZELTO Asia). We currently offer three courses each year.

Each course has a theme

Each course intake focusses on a theme or special topic. Examples of past themes are agriculture and trade, strengthening resilience, renewable energy, education, and good governance. Suitable applicants must have a technical job or policy job that relates to the current theme.

Official from the following countries may be asked to apply:

Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam


The New Zealand Government offers Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for English language training for government official from Africa (NZELTO Africa). Official come to New Zealand for ten weeks to improve their English and to build links with other participants and New Zealand.

Official from the following countries may be asked to apply:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo. Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Madagascar, Maki, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Togo Tunisia.


Officials do not apply for ELTO directly. Instead, The New Zealand Embassy or High Commission asks the government sector in each eligible country for suitable scholarship nominations. The New Zealand Embassy or High Commission guides nominees through a closed application and selection process.