Locals buzzing after a life-changing Lotto strike in Kawerau.
A long-time Lotto player who never watches the live draw on television got the best surprise of his life when he checked his ticket at the local store.
The delighted man took home the top $16 million prize last Thursday when he checked his $12 ticket at a Nelson supermarket.
“I didn’t watch the draw on TV. I always go to the store the next day because I like surprises. I put my ticket into the machine and when I looked at the screen, it said ‘Major Winner’. My God, I was so excited!”
The retailer took the winner to an in-store office for privacy.
“On a Saturday, because I’ve got more time, I let my fingers follow the numbers and select the ones they land on. On Wednesdays, I just buy a random ticket and let the machine pick the numbers. I never spend more than $12.
“Last Wednesday, I saw the Lotto jackpot was $16 million and I said, ‘I’m going to have a shot at this, and bingo!”
He was “lost for words” trying to describe how the life-changing win made him feel.
“It’s an amazing feeling because I never thought I’d win this sort of money. I’m so happy. I can’t believe it,” he said.
The winner said he was going to keep his victory a secret but share the earnings with his family.
“I’ve only told them [family], nobody else”.
The enormity of the win is still sinking in, but the winner already has some ideas about what he will do with his windfall.
“My dream is the dream of everybody, to buy your own house and pay it off, along with a new car. After that, I’ll probably buy a boat because I love fishing.”
“I can buy anything I want now. It’s like a dream after 25 years of hard work.”
For now, though, the winner is planning to take some financial advice and catch up with his family.
“This is life-changing. I’ll remember the 10th of December 2025 for the rest of my life.”
