$8.6m Powerball prize still not claimed

An $8.6 million Lotto prize remains unclaimed three days after the draw.

The winner of the Powerball first division prize in the New Year's Eve draw bought the ticket from 525 Mags & Cards in Tauranga.

"Anyone who bought a ticket from that store for Saturday's draw should be holding on to it very tightly, especially if they are out and about on holiday," said New Zealand Lotteries chief executive Trevor Hall.

The win is the eighth biggest prize won by a lottery player in this country.

The biggest was $15.3 million, won in Auckland last September.