Pacific Education Foundation
The Foundation offers two scholarship pathways
The Tulī Takes Flight (Tulī) Scholarship was established as part of the goodwill and reconciliation response to the Government’s 2021 apology for the Dawn Raids. It supports Pacific people to overcome financial barriers to study, training and career development.
Within the Tulī Scholarship, the Career Changer pathway supports Pacific people with at least 12 years of work experience who are looking to move into a new career or advance to a higher level in their existing career. The scholarship can support vocational training, undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate study up to Master’s level, with funding of up to $31,500 per year.
The Pacific Education Foundation Scholarship has been awarded since 1972 to support Pacific learners undertaking undergraduate and postgraduate study in New Zealand, across any field of study.
Both scholarships are designed to reduce financial pressure and empower Pacific people to pursue education, training and career opportunities, supporting them to achieve their goals and contribute to their families and communities.
Statistics from 2023
In 2023, the Pacific Education Foundation awarded 12 scholarships through its core PEF scholarship stream, including 9 undergraduate and 3 postgraduate awards.
The Tulī Takes Flight scholarships also supported students across academic and vocational pathways, with the 2023 report showing 18 Tulī awards in total across continuing study and career changer categories.
How to Apply?
Applications for the Tulī Takes Flight and Pacific Education Foundation (PEF) Scholarships are completed online once applications open.
Applicants should visit the Ministry of Education website for application details, eligibility requirements and key dates.
Tulī Takes Flight: Continuing study or training scholarships
Tulī Takes Flight scholarships support Pacific students to continue their study or training. They are for a second or any subsequent year of tertiary study of vocational training.
Tulī Takes Flight: Career changer scholarships
Tulī Takes Flight career changer scholarships support Pacific students to move to a new career or a higher level within their existing one.
Pacific Education Foundation scholarships
Tulī Takes Flight career changer scholarships support Pacific students to move to a new career or a higher level within their existing one.
Further information and application guidance will be available through the Ministry of Education’s scholarship pages as the 2026 application process opens.