Some sources of funding for graduate living costs in New Zealand are linked to below:
(1) University scholarships are automatic for students with a GPA 8.0 (~A to A+ average, first class). If your degree is not from a New Zealand university you can calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) using this online calculater.
(2) There is also the NZIDRS scheme
(3) NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) scholarships to students from some Asian and Pacific countries,
(5) Other grants listed on UoA website and How to find a scholarship
In some cases, students can get grants from their home country.
Fees are same for national and international students for a PhD, but much higher for an overseas MSc student. Check university for latest tuition fees.
Once accepted, the university provides reasonable funds for research costs for MSc and PhD students. There are several schemes for other small research funding grants for students but typically NZ$2,000. In addition, there are modest national grants aimed at community and school groups which may be able to support some graduate work.
Marine conservation funding sources are listed on Whalefish. The New Zealand Marine Sciences Society also provides small, once-off grants for research and travel to your first international conference.
Auckland is a relatively expensive city so earning enough on part-time work to also do full-time graduate studies is not really possible. There is information on living costs on this university webpage and in this book, including regarding rent for accommodation.
National Geographic funding for the recovery of species listed as threatened by IUCN anywhere in the world: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/grants/what-we-fund/species-recovery/
Deadlines October and April each year.
Must be endorsed by the relevant IUCN Species specialist group chair. they “.. encourage applications from underrepresented taxa such as plants, fungi, lichens, fish, and invertebrates.”
https://en.unesco.org/mab/awards#young-scientists
UNESCO-MAB YOUNG SCIENTISTS AWARDS
Since 1989 MAB has been supporting young researchers each year with awards of up to US$ 5,000 in support of their research on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity. Through the MAB Young Scientists Awards, MAB is investing in a new generation of scientists worldwide because well-trained and committed young people are key to addressing ecological and sustainability issues. The International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) adopted new criteria and conditions for the selection of MAB Young Scientists Award winners) at its 29th session on 12-15 June 2017, in order to address the Lima Action Plan (LAP) for Biosphere Reserves and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in applications.