Winner from $50 million Lotto Powerball draw comes forward

A Hawke's Bay mother is $25.1 million richer after winning Saturday's Lotto Powerball draw.

The woman was one of two Powerball First Division winners for the record $50 million jackpot and purchased her ticket from Countdown Manukau City Mall.

The newest multi-millionaire said she's still in shock.

"It was a total surprise - you never think it will be you. I still can't believe it."

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought the Triple Dip on a visit to Auckland, but didn't think she'd won.

"I saw that one of the winning tickets had been bought at the same store where I got mine - but never in a million years did I think it would be me!"

She said there's been a 'few sleepless nights' waiting for the the prize to be officially confirmed by Lotto NZ Head Office.

"I've been keeping my ticket in my phone case and under my pillow at night – not that much sleeping has been happening. I've mostly been scouring the internet for my dream car," laughed the woman.

The woman said her priority would be making sure she has a good plan in place for her family, but was also looking forward to a bit of splashing out.

"I will definitely be buying a house, that's the first thing on my list. I would also like a new car. There'll be some travel in the future as well as some other fun stuff."

The other winning ticket was bought online through MyLotto.

This is the sixth time Powerball has reached a Must Be Won draw with a jackpot of over $30 million in the history of the game, the last one was in player from Auckland took home $44 million.

Previous winners' advice

• Think before you spend: It's best to spend some time to think about your win and what you really want to do with the money before you start forking out;

• Secrecy: Be really careful who you decide to tell about your good fortune;

• Financial advice: Getting help from a professional, they know what they're up to;

• Have fun: It's important to remember to take time to do the things you've always wanted to do for fun, once you've locked in funds for the future.

Interesting facts about Lotto's big winners

• 85 per cent of big winners kept working, remaining in the same job as before their win

• 98 per cent of big winners still regularly buy Lotto tickets;

• 73 per cent of big winners surveyed won with a Lucky Dip ticket;

• 32 per cent were in their Lotto store when they found out they won, 27 per cent checked online and 26 per cent were watching the live Lotto draw;

• 19 per cent only told their other half, 31 per cent told their immediate family, 8 per cent told everybody and 5 per cent kept it to themselves;

• 23 per cent kept the winning ticket in their purse or wallet, 11 per cent in a drawer, and 5 per cent under their pillow.