Tauranga's $1m Lotto ticket claimed

Gate Pa Superette has been abuzz with excitement after selling a $1 million first division ticket in Wednesday night's live Lotto draw.

It's the first big win for superette owners Ravinder Singh-Cheema and wife Pawandeep Kaur-Cheema who only took ownership of the store on July 25.

A rapt Mr Singh-Cheema and his wife, an early childhood teacher, live in Te Puke and also own the Western Bay Sports Bar and Super Liquor.

"When my assistant Satnam called me this morning to tell me someone from the store had won the $1m I didn't believe it at first. Then I became really excited and very happy. This is great news for our store and also for the lucky winner.

Satnam Singh said when he checked the store's Lotto terminal he could not believe his eyes and immediately rang his boss.

"I was really, really excited and my boss was shocked and kept saying, 'Really? Really?'. I think Ravinder thought I was joking at first... I buy Lotto tickets from the store every week hoping to win a big prize but I couldn't be happier for the winning customer."

Mr Singh said the store was abuzz with excitement with lots of "high-fiving" going on after he told other customers of the good news.

Mr Singh-Cheema said he was thrilled to find out the winner was a regular customer at their store.

The lucky punter, accompanied by his partner, popped into the store at lunchtime today to check his ticket and got the surprise of his life.

Mr Singh-Cheema said the man had no idea until he was holding the winning ticket until he handed it over.

"He and his partner were shocked but also very happy. They told us they plan to celebrate by going out to dinner at a restaurant."

A customer at the store this morning said it was "wonderful" news.

"I don't usually buy my Lotto ticket here but I thought given the store's big win I would give it a go, " the man said.

Other big wins this year

In February a Tauranga family won $7.1m

In February a local punter won $200,000

In March a Bay of Plenty local won $1m