Earlier this year a lucky player won $15.5m in a must-be-won draw, from which half the value of ticket sales will help people living in regions devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle.
The winning ticket was purchased by a MyLotto player from Canterbury.
“We’d like to thank New Zealanders for getting behind this special draw for cyclone relief. The support has been incredible and will make a real difference to people and communities impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle,” Lotto NZ chief executive Chris Lyman said at the time.
“It has been a privilege for Lotto NZ to host this special draw, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the cyclone.”
The draw eventually raised $11.7m to go towards affected communities.
And a Whakatāne resident spoke just weeks earlier about the rollercoaster ride they had experienced since winning $1m in Lotto First Division.
The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said they weren’t sure how much they had won until getting a call from Lotto NZ.
“I said to them ‘Oh, my goodness, is it really $1m?’
“I thought it was, but I was waiting for confirmation before I got too excited.”
The winner added: “It will make such a difference to my life. It gives me the financial freedom to pay off my mortgage.”
They were looking forward to celebrating their life-changing win by going out for dinner with family.
