Businesses keen to cash in on $22.3 million Taranaki Lotto windfall

Thursday, 3 January 2019

A Lotto ticket sold in Taranaki has won $22.3 million dollars in a January, 2018, Powerball draw.

Inglewood retailers say they would be quick to open their tills to help New Zealand's newest millionaire spend some of their financial windfall.

A winning Powerball ticket worth $22.3 million was sold in the tiny Taranaki town for Wednesday night's draw and the following day the rumour mill was rife with speculation about who and where the winners were from.

The ticket was sold at Inglewood Book Centre, owned by Loraine and David Reeve, and was made up of $22 million from Powerball first division and $333,333 from Lotto first division.

Inglewood Book Centre owner Loraine Reeve was excited to have sold the $22.3 million Powerball winning ticket in Wednesday night's draw.

*** Lucky Lotto shop owners elated to have sold $12.5 million winning ticket

* Lotto multi-millionaires advised to avoid flashy displays of wealth**

Elaine Thomas, owner of Studio 78 - hair, beauty and nail salon, says they would be more than happy to provide any pampering to the lucky winner.

Loraine Reeve said there had been a steady stream of locals coming through the door to offer their congratulations and check their tickets, but as of 2pm the winner had not come forward.

But what could they do with the money if they wanted to stay in the area?

Big Barrel Inglewood manager Surjit Virk would be happy to supply top notch booze if New Zealand's newest millionaire need some party supplies.

New Plymouth District Council deputy mayor and Inglewood resident Richard Jordan said the win had captured the community's imagination and had people intrigued about who the winner was.

'The town is curious to know who it actually is,' Jordan said.

'It would be excellent news if it was a local.'

TradeMe had a listing for a mini farm on Bedford Rd North, on the outskirts of the town, with a three bedroom, two bathroom house and 6.93 hectares of land, for $995,000.

Combined Motors owner Bruce Williams said while there weren't any luxury European sports cars on his lot he would be happy to source some for the winner if they wanted.

'It would be no problem at all but I think that they could go above those to helicopters and planes,' Williams joked.

He said there was already a couple of Teslas driving around the town so a Porsche or Ferrari wouldn't look out of place.

Williams said the town's rumour mill had started to wind up and he believed if the winner was local they would not make their identity known.

'I dare say they will stay well hidden.'

Studio 78 - hair, beauty and nail salon - owner Elaine Thomas said they would be able to offer any new millionaires the pampering they deserved.

'We did have someone come in this morning that said they had $22 million to spend in the salon and we said we can help,' she laughed.

'We certainly would have the champagne popping if they came in.'

Thomas said news of the win had caused great excitment around the village.

'It's brilliant, it's amazing. It would be fabulous if it was a local.'

Surjit Virk, Big Barrel manager, said he could provide any necessary party supplies.

'We would be happy to help them out,' Virk said.

He said a lot of his customers had been talking about the big win.

Anyone who bought their ticket from the shop is encouraged to write their name on the back of it and check it immediately at any Lotto outlet, online at MyLotto.co.nz or through the Lotto NZ ticket-checker app.

Players could also phone Lotto on 0800 695 6886 if they want to enquire about the best way to claim a prize.