Tulī Takes Flight and Pacific Education Foundation Scholarships 2026

If you're a young Pacific scholar in Aotearoa—filled with ambition, community spirit, and the dream of further education. You’ve been waiting for the chance to soar. Well, your moment has arrived. The Ministry of Education in New Zealand has officially opened applications for the 2026 round of the Tulī Takes Flight and Pacific Education Foundation Scholarships, offering life-changing support for Pacific learners. This is your invitation to apply and take flight toward your future.

🎓Tulī Takes Scholarship Summary

• Location: Aotearoa New Zealand

• Organizer: Administered by the Pacific Education Foundation under the Ministry of Education

• Level: Vocational training, undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, up to doctoral

• Target group: Pacific people of indigenous heritage in New Zealand

• Fields: Any field of study or training

• Award value: Up to NZ$32,000

  Award duration: —Continuing Study scholarships: NZ$11,000 to NZ$16,500 per annum (renewable for up to 3 years); —Career Changer: NZ$31,500 per annum; —Doctoral: awarded for 1 year only

• Number available: 15

• Application deadline: 5:00 pm, Tuesday, 30 September 2025

• Start date: Presumed intake in 2026, aligning with standard academic cycles

• Eligible to: New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of indigenous Pacific heritage, age 16+ (if completing NCEA Level 3) or 18+, living in NZ for last 3 years, enrolled or enrolling full-time at NZ tertiary institutions

🧭 Scholarship Overview (Career Changer vs. Continuing Study)

• Continuing Study: For those already in study or returning to it. Offers NZ$11,000–16,500 annually, for 1–3 years depending on course length.

• Career Changer: For people shifting to a new qualification. Provides NZ$31,500 annually, renewable up to 3 years; doctoral scholarships are 1-year only and require 12+ years work experience and NZQA Level 4+ prior study .

💰 Benefits

• Significant financial assistance to reduce study or training costs

• Tailored support reflecting community engagement and future contribution

• Open to a broad range of levels and disciplines

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• NZ citizen or permanent resident

• Indigenous Pacific heritage (listed: Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, etc.)

• Full-time enrolment at a recognized NZ tertiary provider

• NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) if under 18, or 18+

📝 Application Procedure

• Submit online application with:

  • Personal details and ethnicity information (including genealogy)

  • Certified ID (passport, citizenship, residency)

  • Study plan and choice between Continuing or Career Changer

  • Responses (~350 words each) to prompts: motivation, career goals, aspirations, community engagement, community change, and financial need

  • Reference letter (not from family; must be from community leader, employer, etc.)

  • Academic transcript (highest qualification) & CV (max 2 A4 pages)

  • Official documents must be certified by a Justice of the Peace

• Submit before the deadline; incomplete or uncertified applications will be rejected

2). Pacific Education Foundation Scholarships

• Location: Aotearoa New Zealand

• Host institution: Pacific Education Foundation, supported by Ministry of Education

• Study level: Full-time undergraduate and postgraduate

• Target group: Pacific students of any field

• Fields: Any discipline

• Award value:

  • Undergraduate grant: NZ$5,400

  • Postgraduate grant: NZ$10,400

• Award duration: Presumably 1 year

• Number available: 12

• Application deadline: 5:00 pm, Tuesday, 30 September 2025

• Start date: Expected in 2026 while following academic calendar

• Eligible to: Pacific heritage students, full-time study in NZ, any discipline

Overview & Benefits:

• Provides targeted financial support to Pacific students

• Simpler structure and lower amount, offering accessible support to more students

Eligibility & Procedure:

• Similar eligibility regarding Pacific heritage and full-time enrolment requirements as Tulī (though full application guide is less detailed online)

• Application likely through the Ministry’s portal, with documentation similar in nature

Why These Scholarships Matter

Following New Zealand’s 2021 apology for the Dawn Raids, the Tulī Takes Flight scholarships form part of a reconciliation strategy to uplift Pacific communities through education—breeding equity, recognition, and opportunity . Meanwhile, the Pacific Education Foundation scholarships showcase the strength and diversity of the Pacific community, led by a board that reflects this modern mosaic . Together, they offer tangible, timely support—financially and symbolically—for Pacific students to reach their educational—and communal—goals.

📆 Timeline to Keep in Mind

• Application deadline: 5:00 pm, Tuesday, 30 September 2025

• Course commencement: Likely early/mid 2026, depending on institutional terms

🚀 Final Call to Action

These scholarships open a rare window for Pacific learners to claim opportunities, ease burdens, and repay their communities through education. Whether you’re continuing your trajectory or pivoting careers—grab hold of Tulī or the Pacific Education Foundation Scholarships and chart your journey forward.

Make sure to prepare your documents early, reflect deeply in your application answers, and submit well before the 30 September 2025 deadline.

🔗 Details & Apply

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