Lower Hutt woman to splurge on coffee after $1 million Lotto jackpot

The woman says as well as enabling her to splurge on special coffee, the win represents financial security for her family.

Lotto’s newest millionaire says she’s ditching instant coffee and splurging on barista-made brews after pocketing $1 million.

The Lower Hutt woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she couldn’t believe her eyes when she received an email from Lotto saying she had won first division with a bonus ticket.

Lotto said the woman logged into her MyLotto account and watched the virtual draw play.

“It happened very quickly, and it was still early in the morning, so I wasn’t sure what I was seeing was correct.”

The woman asked a family member to double-check her ticket.

“I showed her my phone and even she said, ‘Hold on a minute – I’d better get my other glasses’.

“When she realised I had won $1 million, she was so excited and started congratulating me, but I was still in disbelief.

“I just couldn’t believe I’d won it ... and on a bonus ticket too.”

But despite the big win, Lotto’s latest millionaire said she won’t be making any dramatic changes in her day-to-day life.

“I’m going to invest in my future. This win is security for me and my children and means I can rest easy.”

But there was one change she had in mind.

“I might start splurging on coffees from the cafe instead of settling for instant,” she said.

The woman has become Lotto NZ’s 30th millionaire in 2025.

A Wellington couple took out the first Lotto win of the year, winning $7m.

In May, a grandmother from Whitby won $17.2m.

While walking with her grandson, she had decided to stop at the Whitby New World to buy her ticket for that night’s draw.

The biggest win of the year was a $23m prize sold at an Auckland superette.