In addition to the base prizemoney of The NZB Kiwi, an additional $1 million in bonuses will be available each year to the winners of a number of iconic New Zealand races in the lead up to the 7 March meeting (1st - $600,000; 2nd - $250,000; 3rd - $150,000). With the bonus component, the winner of The NZB Kiwi could take home $1.8 million in total prizemoney.
To be eligible for a share in the $1 million bonus pool, a horse must win one of the various Bonus Eligible iconic New Zealand races, and also run a top-three placing in The NZB Kiwi held on Champions Day (7 March 2026).
The initial list of New Zealand Bonus Eligible races is outlined below.
| Date | Race and Distance | Club and Venue | Winner | Trainer |
| Saturday 28 March 2025 | Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) | Manawatu Racing Club at RACE Trentham | La Dorada (NZ) | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson |
| Saturday 1 November 2025 | Group 2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) | Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Tauranga Racecourse | ||
| Saturday 8 November 2025 | Group 1 Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) | Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park | ||
| Saturday 15 November 2025 | Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 53rd New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) | Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park | ||
| Friday 26 December 2025 | Group 2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m) | Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse | ||
| Saturday 3 January 2026 | Group 2 Levin Classic (1400m) | Wellington Racing Club at RACE Trentham | ||
| Saturday 24 January 2026 | Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) | Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse | ||
| Saturday 24 January 2026 | Group 3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) | Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse | ||
| Saturday 7 February 2026 | Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) | Waikato Thoroughbred Racing at Te Rapa Racecourse | ||
| Saturday 21 February 2026 | Group 3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) | Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie Racecourse |
Te Akau Racing filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) claimed the first $1 million Bonus Eligible race on the road to the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). La Dorada powered to victory in the $550,000 Group 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at RACE Trentham. She was purchased by David Ellis CNZM from Waikato Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka 2024 Book 1 Sale for $190,000.