Twizel has been abuzz since it was announced the winning ticket was sold at The Market Store in the small South Island town.
Lotto NZ spokeswoman Marie Winfield earlier told The Herald that she believed the newly wealthy winner is probably enjoying their holiday, unaware of the win.
"We are just assuming either they are having a nice holiday and letting the news sink in or they haven't discovered they've won and obviously they have a nice surprise in store for them in the new year," she said.
Typically, the winner would contact Lotto NZ a few days after a big win, but Winfield said she expected the winner to get in touch in the next few weeks.
"We don't want to take that winning moment away from them, so we will wait," Winfield said.
Starting a year and a decade with a $17.1 win, knowingly or not, is a fantastic way to celebrate, she added.