Semester two finishes in November. Here is how the MannPass student discount works in NZ, who qualifies, and when to book so you are home for the summer.
At a glance: what is MannPass?
MannPass is Mann Travel’s free pass for verified students, teachers, lecturers and education staff in New Zealand. It takes $25 off selected return international flights from New Zealand to India, on participating airlines and approved fare types. Verify in about 90 seconds with your institutional email, student ID or staff ID. Your pass is valid for 30 days from verification and renewable after each cycle. To use it, call 09 973 1940 or visit our Papatoetoe branch. It cannot be combined with other Mann Travel promotions.
Who qualifies for MannPass in New Zealand
MannPass is for people who study or work in education in New Zealand. There is no membership fee. If you fit one of the groups below, you can join.
Who | Verify with | How often you reverify |
Students enrolled at a NZ university or polytechnic, including international students | Institutional email or student ID | Each term |
Teachers and school staff | Institutional email or staff ID | Annually |
Lecturers, academic staff and other education staff at a school, polytechnic or university | Institutional email or staff ID | Annually |
The discount applies to selected return international flights from New Zealand to India. Eight destinations are covered: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Kochi. Flights can depart from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and other NZ cities.
How to verify and use your MannPass
Four steps.
1. Verify online
Go to manntravel.co.nz/offers/mannpass and verify with your institutional email, student ID or staff ID. It takes about 90 seconds and it is free.
2. Find your flights
Search live fares at manntravel.co.nz/flights, or simply tell us your dates and where you are flying to. Auckland to Delhi and Auckland to Mumbai fares start from NZD $920 per person, Bengaluru from NZD $992 and Ahmedabad from NZD $1,020 (checked 30 September 2026, prices change daily).
3. Call or visit to apply the discount
The $25 is applied by a consultant, not automatically online. Call us on 09 973 1940 or visit our branch at 153 Eric Baker Place, Papatoetoe, and quote your voucher code. We check the fare is an approved fare type on a participating airline, then take the $25 off.
4. Book within your 30-day window
Your pass is valid for 30 days from the day you verify. Book inside that window and the discount applies.
What "valid 30 days, renewable" means in practice
The pass is a 30-day window that starts the day you verify. If you do not book in that time it lapses, but you can renew it after each 30-day cycle. Students reverify each term, education staff annually. Our advice: verify when you are ready to book, not months earlier. Have your dates and passport details ready, verify, then call us the same week. Only one promotional offer applies per booking, so if another Mann Travel promotion is running, ask us which saves you more.
When to book for a November or December departure
Most students want to leave the day after their last exam. Most teachers want to leave the weekend after school closes. Thousands of people are looking at the same dates, and fares move as seats fill. Here is when semester two ends at the main universities, and the last day of Term 4 for schools.
Institution | Semester two ends (2026) | Earliest realistic departure |
AUT | Last day 5 November | From 6 November |
University of Otago | Exams 19 October to 7 November | The day after your last exam |
University of Canterbury | Exams 27 October to 7 November | The day after your last exam |
Massey University | 9 November | From 10 November |
University of Auckland | Semester ends 16 November | From 17 November |
NZ schools (Term 4) | No later than Friday 18 December | From 19 December |
Now match that to a booking timeline. This is what we see every year.
When you book | What to expect | Our advice |
Now to mid-October | Good choice of dates and fares for November departures | Verify your MannPass and book as soon as your exam timetable is confirmed. |
Late October to early November | November seats tightening, December still open | Be flexible by a day or two. Consider a one-stop route if the popular flights are full. |
Mid-November onward | December fares rising, school holiday dates busiest | Call us. We can often find options that do not show up in a quick search. |
6 tips for international students flying home from NZ
1. Check your passport and visa before you book
Your passport should be valid for at least six months past your return date. Check that your NZ student visa allows re-entry and note its expiry. New Zealand citizens and residents of Indian origin need an Indian visa or OCI card. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly.
2. Fly after your last exam, not the last day of semester
Your last exam may be a week or more before the official end date. Flying earlier gives you more time at home and usually a better fare, because you are ahead of the rush.
3. Sort leave from your part-time job early
December is the busiest month for retail, hospitality and delivery work. Tell your manager your travel dates as soon as you book. A confirmed booking makes that conversation much easier.
4. Book your return before you leave
Universities restart in late February or early March, and return flights in that window fill quickly. A return fare booked now is usually better value than a one-way ticket bought in India later.
5. Check your baggage allowance before you shop
Allowances vary by airline and fare type. If you are carrying gifts home and bringing things back for your flat, check the allowance first, and ask us about adding an extra bag.
6. Keep your documents together
Passport, visa, enrolment letter, accommodation details and your return ticket. Keep digital copies on your phone and one set with family at home.
Teachers and education staff: making the most of the summer break
Term 4 ends no later than Friday 18 December, and the summer holidays run for about five to six weeks. That is the longest break of the year and the best chance to spend real time with family in India.
A few practical notes. Education staff verify MannPass annually, so one verification covers the year. Leave the weekend after school closes if you can, because fares for the following week climb as families across South Auckland and the rest of the country head away. Plan to be back a few days before Term 1 starts. Lecturers, check summer school and marking commitments before fixing dates. Travelling with your own children? Book everyone on one booking so seats stay together.
Why book with Mann Travel?
Our team in Papatoetoe specialises in flights between New Zealand and India. We speak Hindi, Punjabi and English, we are on call 24/7, and we help students and teachers book home to India every summer. Flexible payment options such as PayLite and Afterpay are available on selected fares. Flying from the South Island? See our guide to flights Christchurch to Delhi. Questions about MannPass? Contact us any time.
Let’s take you home this summer break.
Verify your MannPass, then search live fares at manntravel.co.nz/flights or call our team on 09 973 1940 to apply your $25 discount.
frequently asked questions
Is MannPass free to join?
Yes. There is no membership fee. You verify once with your institutional email, student ID or staff ID, and the pass is valid for 30 days, renewable after each cycle.
How much does MannPass save?
$25 off selected return international flights from New Zealand to India, on participating airlines and approved fare types, subject to availability.
Can I use MannPass online?
You verify online, but the discount is applied by a consultant. Call 09 973 1940 or visit our Papatoetoe branch and quote your voucher code when you book.
Do international students in New Zealand qualify?
Yes. Students enrolled at a NZ university or polytechnic qualify, including international students. Verify with your institutional email or student ID.
Can I combine MannPass with another Mann Travel offer?
No. MannPass cannot be combined with any other Mann Travel promotion unless stated otherwise. Only one promotional offer may be applied per booking.
MannPass terms are set out at manntravel.co.nz/offers/mannpass and may change. Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Always check live prices before booking.
