After winning $28.6 million in last week’s Powerball draw – the 11th largest win in Lotto NZ’s history – an Ashburton family suddenly find themselves with more choices than they ever imagined as they begin searching for their first home.
The family, who wish to remain anonymous, are regular players who have been using the same numbers for years.
They play a mix of similar numbers across just five lines on a $7.50 Powerball pick your own ticket.
Last Wednesday this landed them with the Powerball First Division prize of $28 million, as well as three Lotto First Division wins – each worth $200,000 – across three different lines.
They bought their ticket from Four Square Netherby.
They had no idea they were the lucky winners until the following day.
“It was the talk of the town,” said the woman, via a statement.
“Everyone was asking each other if they were the winner and talking about what they’d do if they won.
“I never thought it would be us… but I couldn’t shake this strange feeling for most of the day.”
Later that afternoon, her daughter sent a message asking whether she had checked her ticket.
“She asked me if I knew someone in town had won, and if I’d checked our ticket. I said, ‘no, it’s at home, I’ll check it later.’”
“We checked the numbers, and sure enough…they were ours.
“It was such a mix of emotions all at once – my husband cried and none of us knew what to do with ourselves.”
With the win safely claimed on Friday, the family spent the weekend talking about what it means for them.
“We’re still very much in shock and overwhelmed with the prize. We’re so incredibly grateful for what this is going to do for us, our family and future,” said the woman’s daughter.
They know they have many decisions ahead, but they’re taking things slowly – with one dream already locked in.
“There is so much to think about – we want to enjoy our lives and help others – but it all needs a lot of thought.
“The only thing we know for certain right now is that we will be able to buy our first home.
“It’s something we’ve always talked about – and now it’s possible.”
