A teaching student sitting down at a campus, smiling and looking into the distance
A teaching student sitting down at a campus, smiling and looking into the distance
Becoming a teacher in New Zealand
Te Karahipi Huarau

Te Huarau Scholarship

A Te Huarau Scholarship can financially support you on your journey to becoming a teacher
A teaching student sitting down at a campus, smiling and looking into the distance
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Last updated 5 August 2026

Each year, we offer 130 scholarships to aspiring teachers in priority subjects and education settings.

As a Te Huarau scholar you gain access to:

  • course fees to study an approved teaching qualification
  • an allowance of NZD$10,000 over the period of your study (limited to 4 years).

If you are enrolled, or plan to enrol, on an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course, this could be the scholarship for you.

Application period now open

Applications for 2027 Te Huarau Scholarships are now open
Apply now launch

Please note the following for the 2027 round:

  • All required documents must be certified by an authorised person.
  • Resident visa holders are now eligible to apply.
  • You will be required to upload a video with your application. 

For more information on how to certify your documents, and apply for and accept a TeachNZ scholarship, read the guidance documents in the popular resources section on this page.

Past scholar's story

Key scholarship information

Te Huarau Scholarship
Scholarship type
Priority subjects and education settings
Application period
3 August to 31 August 2026
Fees
Paid
Allowance
NZD$10,000 over duration of study
Scholarships available
130

Bonding period

All TeachNZ scholarship recipients must complete a bonding period. You will teach in a New Zealand state or state-integrated school or kura, or early learning centre for a set period of time. The bonding period will depend on the length of your scholarship.

Study duration
Bonding period length
Less than 1 year awarded, no allowance payment
Teach for 1 year in the 3 years after completing study
1 year of full-time study or 2 years of part-time study
Teach for 2 years in the 4 years after completing study
2 years of full-time study or 4 years of part-time study
Teach for 2 years in the 4 years after completing study
3 years of full-time study or 6 years of part-time study
Teach for 3 years in the 5 years after completing study

Requirements

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:

  • be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or resident
  • be enrolled, have applied for, or be planning to enrol in an approved initial teacher education course listed on the Teaching Council website or programme finder tool (linked in the popular resources section of this page). These courses may be updated during the year. 

You are not eligible for the scholarship if you:  

  • have already received a TeachNZ scholarship
  • have already completed initial teacher education training or are already a registered teacher
  • are participating or considering participating in the School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP). 
  • Students planning to teach science, technology or maths.
  • Students planning to teach in secondary, primary or ECE.
  • Students who are Māori, Pacific or planning to teach in bilingual or immersion settings.
  • Students from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
  • Students intending to study short courses.

Applicants who are currently working in a school as a:

  • teacher aide
  • teacher on a Limited Authority to Teach (LAT)
  • kaiāwhina
  • kaiārahi i te reo.

If there are large numbers of applications, we will shortlist based on these priorities. 

Contact us

If you have any questions, we’re here to help.  

Send us an Email

Popular Resources

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