Missing Lotto millionaires emerge

File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

A Hamilton couple never dreamed they were $4.7 million richer when they read about an unclaimed Lotto prize in a local newspaper.

The Big Wednesday first division prize was struck two weeks ago but no one came forward to claim the prize.

NZ Lotteries chief executive Todd McLeay said the couple read about the prize but had no idea it was theirs and checked their ticket only "on a whim".

The winning man told NZ Lotteries: "When the ticket checker said I had the top prize I just went, 'Oh s***!"'

The win almost didn't happen, he said. "I was heading out for a run and my wife said to me, 'Don't stop at the wine store and don't buy a lottery ticket', so I ran on past the Lotto store. But then I decided 'stuff it' and doubled back to the store and bought [it].

"She's pretty happy that I didn't listen to her ... this time anyway!"

- NZPA