If you are checking a Lotto ticket in New Zealand and wondering what the “bonus prize” is, the short answer is this: a bonus prize is any win that depends on matching the official Bonus Ball. It is not a separate raffle or a side game you buy. The Bonus Ball is the seventh ball drawn in every Lotto draw run by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission (Lotto NZ), and its only job is to lift certain matches into a higher, better-paying division. This guide explains exactly how that works, which divisions the Bonus Ball unlocks, the real odds and typical payouts, and how the September 2026 Powerball changes affect your ticket.
Key Points
- Bonus Ball basics: it is the seventh ball drawn from the same 40-ball pool, not a separate game you buy.
- It only upgrades: the Bonus Ball lifts three-, four- and five-number matches into Divisions 6, 4 and 2 — it never pays on its own.
- Three bonus divisions: Division 6 (~NZ$22), Division 4 (~NZ$55) and Division 2 (shared pool, often near NZ$20,000).
- You don’t pick it: your six main numbers are checked against the Bonus Ball automatically.
- Powerball changed on 13 September 2026: now drawn from 1–14 with a new Division 8; it stacks on top of a Bonus Ball win but does not change your Lotto division.
- Tax-free: every bonus prize is paid in full with no tax in New Zealand.
What does “bonus prize” mean in Lotto NZ?
In Lotto NZ, a “bonus prize” is a division win that is only possible because your line matched the Bonus Ball. The Bonus Ball does not create a separate competition with its own ticket. Instead, it works alongside your six main numbers to turn certain ordinary matches into a higher division that pays more. In practice, the Bonus Ball matters for exactly three divisions: Division 2, Division 4 and Division 6.
Every standard Lotto line is a set of six numbers chosen from 1 to 40. You either pick them yourself on a coupon or let the system choose with a Lotto Dip. A single ticket usually holds several lines, and each line is checked separately against the drawn numbers.
Where the Bonus Ball comes from
The Bonus Ball is the seventh ball drawn from the same machine as the six main numbers. Lotto NZ draws six main winning numbers from a pool of 40 balls numbered 1 to 40, and then draws one more ball from the remaining 34. That extra ball is the Bonus Ball. Because it comes from the same pool, you never choose it separately and you never pay extra for it — your existing six numbers are simply compared against it automatically.
Why the Bonus Ball never pays on its own
Matching only the Bonus Ball wins nothing. The Bonus Ball has no value unless your line has already matched at least three of the six main numbers. Think of it as a multiplier key rather than a number in its own right: it can upgrade a three-, four- or five-number match, but it cannot start a win by itself. This is the single most common point of confusion for new players.
The Lotto prize divisions at a glance
Lotto NZ has seven prize divisions, and the Bonus Ball sits “between” the main matches. Matching more main numbers always moves you up, but on three rungs of the ladder the Bonus Ball gives you a shortcut into a better division than main numbers alone would allow. The table below shows every division, what you need to match, the published odds per line, and the kind of prize each one pays. Odds and average prizes are drawn from Lotto NZ’s published figures.
Lotto Division Comparison
| Division | Match required | Bonus Ball needed? | Odds per line | Typical prize (NZD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | 6 main numbers | No | 1 in 3,838,380 | Jackpot — shared pool (from $1 million) |
| Division 2 | 5 main numbers + Bonus Ball | Yes | 1 in 639,730 | Shared pool — averages near $19,995 |
| Division 3 | 5 main numbers | No | 1 in 19,386 | Shared pool — averages near $601 |
| Division 4 | 4 main numbers + Bonus Ball | Yes | 1 in 7,754 | About $55 (fixed) |
| Division 5 | 4 main numbers | No | 1 in 485 | About $30 (fixed) |
| Division 6 | 3 main numbers + Bonus Ball | Yes | 1 in 363 | About $22 (fixed) |
| Division 7 | 3 main numbers | No | 1 in 35 | 4 bonus Lotto lines |
Two things stand out in that table. First, the three “bonus” divisions (2, 4 and 6) always pay more than the plain match just below them. Second, prizes in Divisions 1, 2 and 3 are shared pools (pari-mutuel), so the amount changes every draw depending on ticket sales and how many people win, while the lower divisions pay fixed amounts. For a fuller breakdown of each tier, see our guide to Lotto prize divisions.
How the Bonus Ball upgrades each division
The Bonus Ball changes your prize on exactly three match counts: three, four and five main numbers. In each case, adding the Bonus Ball moves you up one division and increases the payout. Here is what each upgrade is worth.
Division 6: three main numbers plus the Bonus Ball
Matching three main numbers and the Bonus Ball wins Division 6 instead of Division 7. On its own, three main numbers lands you in Division 7, which pays four bonus Lotto lines (free lines for a future draw) rather than cash. Add the Bonus Ball and the line climbs to Division 6, which replaces those free lines with a fixed cash prize averaging around NZ$22. You can read more about those free entries in our explainer on Lotto bonus lines.
Division 4: four main numbers plus the Bonus Ball
Matching four main numbers and the Bonus Ball wins Division 4 instead of Division 5. Four main numbers alone is a Division 5 win worth about NZ$30 (fixed). Aligning those same four numbers with the Bonus Ball tightens the odds to roughly 1 in 7,754 and lifts the prize to around NZ$55 — close to double the plain four-number return.
Division 2: five main numbers plus the Bonus Ball
Matching five main numbers and the Bonus Ball wins Division 2, the most valuable bonus upgrade. Five main numbers on their own is a Division 3 win, averaging around NZ$601. If your sixth number happens to match the Bonus Ball, the line jumps to Division 2 instead. Division 2 is a shared pool, so the amount moves from draw to draw, but it has historically averaged close to NZ$20,000 per winning line. In one December 2024 draw, for example, thirteen Division 2 winners each received over NZ$22,000.
How Powerball changes a bonus-prize line
Powerball is a separate add-on that can boost a bonus-prize win, and its rules changed on 13 September 2026. Powerball is not part of the main draw and does not affect which Lotto division you reach — your Bonus Ball upgrades work the same way whether or not you add Powerball. What Powerball does is run a parallel set of divisions that pay extra cash on top of your Lotto win when your Powerball number also matches. You add it for NZ$0.80 per line, taking a Lotto-plus-Powerball line to NZ$1.50. For the full picture, see our dedicated guide to Powerball in New Zealand.
What changed on 13 September 2026
From 13 September 2026, Powerball is drawn from 14 balls instead of 10, and a new Division 8 was added. Under the Lotto Amendment Rules 2026, the Powerball number is now selected from 1 to 14 (it was previously 1 to 10). The key effects are:
- Longer top odds: the chance of a single line winning Powerball Division 1 moved from about 1 in 38.4 million to about 1 in 53.7 million.
- New Division 8: a new fixed prize of NZ$12 was introduced, aimed at creating more small winners each week.
- Bigger jackpots: the starting Powerball jackpot rose from NZ$4 million to NZ$5 million, and the cap rose from NZ$50 million to NZ$60 million.
- Division 7 lift: the fixed Powerball Division 7 prize increased from NZ$15 to NZ$20.
- More winners overall: Lotto NZ expects roughly 30% more weekly Powerball winners (about 47,000 rising to around 62,000), with average mid-tier prizes projected to climb.
The Lotto line price itself did not change, and the main 40-ball Lotto draw — including the Bonus Ball mechanic described above — was not altered by the 2026 update.
How Powerball stacks with the Bonus Ball
When a line both wins a Bonus Ball division and matches Powerball, it collects a matching Powerball division on top. So a line of five main numbers plus the Bonus Ball (Lotto Division 2) that also matches the Powerball number earns the Powerball Division 2 prize as well. Because the Powerball matrix was reset in September 2026, the exact per-division Powerball odds and payouts are different from older published tables; check the current figures on the official Lotto NZ site or our Powerball guide rather than relying on pre-2026 numbers.
How to check and claim a bonus-prize win
How you claim a bonus-prize win depends on where you bought the ticket and how much you won. Lotto NZ runs the same prize structure for in-store and online play, so the amount — not the channel — decides the process.
Checking your ticket
You can check a paper ticket at any Lotto retailer or on MyLotto. In-store self-check scanners read the barcode on your ticket and display whether the ticket won and in which division. If you bought online or through the MyLotto app, your entries are checked automatically after each draw and any win is recorded against your account.
Claiming small and large prizes
Prizes up to NZ$1,000 can be paid out immediately, while larger prizes need a claim form. The thresholds work roughly like this:
- Up to NZ$1,000: an authorised Lotto retailer can validate and pay the prize over the counter. Online wins up to this amount are credited straight to your MyLotto account.
- Above NZ$1,000: retailers cannot pay on the spot. You hand over the winning ticket with a claim form and your bank details, and Lotto NZ pays by bank transfer.
- Very large prizes (including jackpots): Lotto NZ contacts winners directly and arranges secure validation and payment.
You generally have 12 months from the draw date to claim, under the Gambling Act 2003. Prizes that are never claimed are returned to the Lottery Grants Board for community funding. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to claim Lotto winnings in NZ.
Are Lotto prizes taxed in New Zealand?
No, Lotto prizes are tax-free in New Zealand. Inland Revenue does not treat lottery winnings as income, so a Division 2, 4 or 6 bonus prize is paid in full with no tax deducted. Note that any interest or investment return you earn after banking the prize is taxable in the normal way. Our guide on tax on Lotto winnings covers the details.
Common mistakes people make with the Bonus Ball
Most Bonus Ball confusion comes from treating it like a number you can choose or win on alone. Avoiding these mistakes will help you read your ticket correctly:
- Thinking you pick the Bonus Ball: you never select it. It is drawn automatically and compared against your existing six numbers.
- Expecting a prize for the Bonus Ball alone: it only counts once a line has matched at least three main numbers.
- Counting the Bonus Ball toward Division 1: the jackpot needs all six main numbers and ignores the Bonus Ball entirely.
- Mixing up the line: the Bonus Ball only upgrades the single line that already holds the matching main numbers, not your whole ticket.
- Using old Powerball figures: any odds table based on a 1-to-10 Powerball is out of date after 13 September 2026.
Understanding the real odds of winning Lotto in NZ is the best protection against these misconceptions.
How Lotto NZ keeps the draw fair
Lotto draws use certified drawing machines and tested ball sets under independent oversight. The equipment and procedures are governed by rules administered under the Gambling Act, and draws are independently observed and audited to confirm each one follows the official process. Ball sets and machines are checked and maintained so that outcomes stay random, which is why genuine patterns in historical results reflect chance rather than any flaw in the equipment. No selection method, lucky number or system can change which balls are drawn.
Responsible Gambling
This article is for information only and is not advice to play. Lotto is a game of chance with very long odds: even after the September 2026 changes, a single line’s chance of the Powerball jackpot is roughly 1 in 53.7 million. No technique improves your chance of winning, and a Bonus Ball upgrade is luck, not skill. Only ever spend money you can comfortably afford to lose, and treat any winnings as a bonus rather than income. Players must be 18 or over. If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free and confidential help is available 24/7 from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655, and practical information is available from Safer Gambling Aotearoa.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does bonus prize mean in Lotto NZ?
A bonus prize in Lotto NZ is a division win that depends on matching the Bonus Ball, the seventh ball drawn from the same 40-ball pool. It is not a separate game. Matching the Bonus Ball with three, four or five main numbers upgrades your line into Division 6, 4 or 2 respectively, which pay more than the plain match just below them.
Do I need to choose a separate Bonus Ball number?
No. You only choose your six main numbers, either on a coupon or through a Lotto Dip. The Bonus Ball is drawn automatically and your existing numbers are compared against it. You never pay extra for the Bonus Ball or select it yourself.
What do you win for three numbers and the Bonus Ball?
Three main numbers plus the Bonus Ball wins Division 6, a fixed cash prize that averages around NZ$22. Without the Bonus Ball, three main numbers alone wins Division 7, which pays four bonus Lotto lines for a future draw rather than cash.
Does the Bonus Ball affect the Division 1 jackpot?
No. Division 1 requires all six main numbers and ignores the Bonus Ball completely. Adding a matching Powerball number to those six main numbers is what triggers the larger Powerball jackpot, which starts at NZ$5 million after the September 2026 changes.
Are Bonus Ball prizes taxed in New Zealand?
No. All Lotto prizes, including Division 2, 4 and 6 bonus wins, are paid tax-free because Inland Revenue does not treat lottery winnings as income. Only the interest or returns you later earn on the money are taxable.
