A member of the family said they did not immediately check their ticket or Wednesday's draw results, but had started to hear more about the win as the ticket went unclaimed.
"The day after the win, Tauranga was abuzz with the big news. Everyone was talking about it.
"Later in the morning I heard some guys at work talking about the win. They mentioned where the winning ticket had been sold and I thought, 'huh, that's where I get ours'."
When they finally got around to checking their ticket at the same store they bought it, the news was, surprisingly, funny.
"I checked the ticket under the self-checker and it flashed up 'First Division Winner'.
"I tapped the lady behind the counter on the shoulder and said, 'I think you'll want to see this'. She turned to me and said, 'I knew it would be you'. It was a really funny moment."
The winners said they were still discussing how to use the money and would continue to work. The family would be celebrating with fish and chips on the beach.
"We're both going to keep working -- just keep it real. This win won't change what we do. It'll just make life that much easier."