Hawke's Bay mother sleeps with Lotto ticket under pillow after $25.1m Lotto win

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

A Hawke's Bay mother has claimed a $25.1 million prize in Saturday's record-breaking Lotto draw.

The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, became one of New Zealand's newest millionaires after purchasing a Triple Dip ticket for the $50 million draw during a visit to Auckland's Countdown Manukau City Mall, according to Lotto NZ.

Lotto plays with the fantasy of winning the jackpot in a very whimsical way, while upturning stereotypes of sole parenting, family and concepts of wealth.

'I knew there was a big draw coming up so decided to buy a ticket in Auckland while I was there,' she said.

When she saw where the winning tickets had been purchased, she thought it was unlikely she was a lucky winner.

A woman who won a share of a $30 million Lotto powerball jackpot says the win has changed her life. (First published October 2019)

Castles, celebrity homes, and mid century marvels - they're all options when you've won millions.

* What the two Lotto winners could buy in Auckland with their $25 million

* It's not unusual for Lotto winners to take a while to come forward**

'Never in a million years did I think it would be me! It was a total surprise, you never think it will be you. I still can't believe it.'

While she had stowed the winning ticket in her phone case under her pillow, she admitted 'not much sleeping has been happening'.

'I've mostly been scouring the internet for my dream car.'

She added she would 'definitely' be buying a house with her winnings. She was excited for the future, which she said would include travel and 'some other fun stuff'.

Until then, she said her priority was to make sure she had 'a good plan' in place for her family.

The second winner of the remaining $25.1 million, an Auckland player who purchased their ticket on the MyLotto app, is yet to come forward.

The $50 million is the largest Powerball jackpot in history.

Previously, $44 million was the record. That prize was won by a young couple on the Hibiscus Coast in 2016.

The record prize was put up for grabs after $42m rolled over on Wednesday night, as no one had a winning ticket.

Lotto handed out numerous other prizes on Saturday night besides the record jackpot.

Seven other people won a $111,111 share of Lotto First Division, having bought winning tickets in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Levin, Tapanui and Balclutha.

In Saturday's Strike Must Be Won Draw, the $1 million jackpot was shared by three players, each taking home $333,333.

Their winning Strike tickets were sold at Blagdon Four Square in New Plymouth, Milton Night n Day in Milton and on MyLotto to a player from Auckland.

In Lotto's second division, 39 people each won $26,117.

Eight lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $35,771.