$12m winner tells of plans for early splash-out

The winning ticket was sold at Murupara Four Square, where Merelita Prentice works. Photo / Alan Gibson

A new boat, a holiday and a Sky subscription to watch the Rugby World Cup have made the wishlist of a couple whose $12 million Lotto win has set their tiny Bay of Plenty town abuzz.

The middle-aged forestry worker, who spoke exclusively to the Herald but asked to be named only as Leon, arrived home in Murupara with his partner last night after a "surreal" trip to Wellington to claim their winnings.

He revealed yesterday that, as rumours began swirling in the town after the win was announced on Saturday night, he was unaware the ticket was his until a family member told him the news on Sunday morning.

"They said, 'Have you heard the news? Someone in Murupara has won.' So we checked our numbers and then we checked them again. First it was disbelief and then there was a bit of jumping up and down and screaming ... a little bit of elation."

His boss was happy to give him the day off to go to Wellington - but only after he confessed he was the winner.

"When I told him I needed Monday off, he asked if I had won Lotto, so I had to say yes."

Still unconvinced of their life-changing win, the couple decided to triple-check their numbers at a Taihape outlet on their way down - a move that left them red-faced when their ticket locked the machine down.

They celebrated that night with a steak dinner at Wellington's Hotel Bristol, before meeting Lotto representatives and financial advisers in the capital yesterday.

The couple plan to take their time thinking about what they want to do with their lives after such a big win - one that Leon could only compare with $78 won three years ago in his two decades of buying lucky dip tickets.

"We will get some really good financial advice, as we want this money to last for us."

Asked if he had any immediate plans, Leon - a keen fisherman - said he would like to buy a boat.

The couple are also keen to travel, buy their own house and give back to their tight-knit community of 2000.

"We do plan to do something for the town to share our good fortune."

But Rugby World Cup tickets weren't on the list.

"No, we'll still be watching it on TV. We'll have to get Sky."

Leon - a "very normal Kiwi bloke" - said that in the meantime he would return to work tomorrow while he comes to grips with the win.

"It's been huge news in the town since the Lotto results came out on Saturday night. Everyone has been talking about it, and hoping it has been won by a local - which it has."

Resident Peter Messent said many had feared the ticket had been bought by a visitor in town for an eight-ball tournament held over the weekend.

"I thought it could have been anyone, but when I found out it was a local, I was over the moon."

Shopkeeper Hariata Rangiaho said that after publicised problems in the town, the win was "good for the community".

"In little old Murupara, even though we've been through a lot of ups and downs, a positive has come out of it - and everyone's glad it has gone to them."

Graham Kirk of Murupara Four Square said his store had sold lucky tickets before, "but nothing this big".

"It certainly puts us on the map, that's for sure. It's probably changed quite a few people's lives."

The other Powerball winner, holding a ticket sold at Hari Superette in Papatoetoe, Auckland, also lodged their $12 million claim on Sunday.