Lifelong friends win $12.3m Lotto prize

Photo / Dean Purcell

Two lifelong friends have scooped a $12.36 million Lotto bonanza after winning the Big Wednesday draw last week.

The South Islanders bought their ticket at Whitcoulls St Lukes in Auckland and had a long-running habit of buying a ticket together each week.

The women wanted to remain anonymous but gave a hint of how they'd spend the money.

"Helping family and friends is at the top of the list for both of us," they agreed.

But each winner also had their own dreams that could now perhaps become reality.

"I'm looking forward to indulging in a bit of travel. It's incredible to think that destinations we've always dreamed of visiting are now within reach," one winner said.

"I'm a big animal lover, so I want to use some of my winnings to help rescued animals. I'm so excited to be able to make much more of a difference," her friend said.

The ticket holders won $12,240,800 with Big Wednesday First Division and $120,473 with Big Wednesday Second Division. This took their total winnings to $12,361,273.

"This is the second major Big Wednesday prize won in 2015 and the eighth time a major jackpot has been struck this year," Lotto NZ spokeswoman Emilia Mazur said after the draw.