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).
Importantly, horses do not need to be nominated for a slot in The NZB Kiwi at the time a designated Bonus Eligible Race is run to qualify for the Bonus. Any horse that wins a designated Bonus Eligible race will automatically qualify for the Bonus component should it be later nominated for a slot and go on to finish in the top three in The NZB Kiwi.
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 | Swiss Prince (NZ) | Stephen Marsh |
| Saturday 8 November 2025 | Group 1 Barneswood Farm 53rd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) | Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park | Well Written (AUS) (Written Tycoon) | Stephen Marsh |
| 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.
Swiss Prince (NZ) (El Roca) has added his name to the 2026 NZB Kiwi Bonus board, claiming the second Bonus Eligible race - Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) - on Saturday 1 November. The El Roca colt was purchased by Ms R Carter from Westbury Stud for $130,000 at NZB's Karaka 2024 Book 2 Sale.The talented three-year-old now sits among the early contenders chasing a share of the $1 million NZB Kiwi Bonus at Ellerslie in March.
Well Written (AUS) (Written Tyccon) has become the third horse to claim an NZB Kiwi Bonus Eligible victory, storming to a dominant win in the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600 m) at Riccarton. Purchased by Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock from Brighthill Farm for $80,000 at the 2024 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, the unbeaten filly extended her perfect record to three from three, earning her place among the leading contenders for the $4 million NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie in March.