Mythical tycoon leaves tin shed behind for high life

Heard the one about the 50-year-old Auckland shipworker who cashed his $11.5 million Lotto ticket yesterday?

Or the young guy from the Far North who grew up living in a corrugated iron shed and never has to worry about money again? He apparently told the neighbours to feed the chickens and gave his iwi the slip so he didn't have to dish out too much of his winnings.

Rumour was rife last night as news broke that the country's biggest Lotto prize of nearly $11.5 million had been claimed.

On November 30, Powerball jackpotted to $11,232,824, which, combined with the division one Lotto prize of $250,000, created a total of $11,482,824.

The winner claimed the ticket at the commission's Wellington offices yesterday afternoon and wishes to remain anonymous - although he or she has said they will give 10 per cent of their winnings to charity.

Among the tip-offs the Herald received about the identity of the winner was one about a middle-aged man who worked in Auckland for a shipping company. He apparently got off the boat in Westport, went to Hokitika and bought a ticket. He knows he is a winner and is lying low, says the tipster. The story began to fall apart when investigations revealed the company's ships go only as far as Picton.

The company's PR person said she knew nothing about it and no one had resigned suddenly and turned up for a farewell do in a Lamborghini.

The second rumour, about the young guy growing up in poverty in a coastal settlement in the Far North, seemed to have more potential, but locals remained silent.

The young man in question would soon be upgrading after living all his life in a tin bach by the sea, we were told. One local said he and his parents went into hiding and later instructed a solicitor to travel to Wellington and cash the ticket. "He told the neighbours to feed the chickens and the dogs and then he was off."

In a town that small, everyone was in the know but no one was talking. "I know who you mean," said one. "Yeah, they won. But if I tell you who they are I will have to kill you."

One thing is certain: at least one charity will be surprised this morning to find its bank account swollen by a share of $1.15 million - courtesy of New Zealand's newest multi-millionaire.