Christchurch Family Wins $18.3 Million, Plans First Home Purchase

A family from Christchurch has won a substantial prize of $18.3 million in the recent Lotto NZ draw, one of three winners claiming a share of the record-breaking $55 million jackpot. The family quickly contacted Lotto NZ’s customer support within an hour after the live draw to confirm their win.

The winner, who prefers to remain anonymous, shared his initial disbelief upon realizing his ticket bore the winning numbers. “I wanted to make sure what I was seeing was right, so I thought the best way was to call the people who drew the numbers,” he explained. After connecting with Lotto NZ’s winners’ team, the family received guidance on how to proceed with their claim.

The winning ticket was purchased during a routine grocery shopping trip. “We were doing the usual grocery shop and as we were walking in, I saw the queue to buy tickets—that’s when I remembered the big draw,” he recalled. He admitted that it had been a while since he last bought a ticket, requiring assistance from the operator to select the correct one.

Later that evening, while reading the news, the man discovered that the winning numbers had been drawn. “When I realized I had six Lotto numbers, that’s when I thought I could be in with a chance, then I saw Powerball number six—and I was speechless.” The excitement was shared among family members, and they spent the night discussing their newfound wealth.

With the winning ticket safely stashed away in a book, the family ventured out for shopping the following day. “All I could think about was the ticket at home and how maybe it wasn’t a good idea to leave it there,” he said, adding that they did not stay out for long.

Looking ahead, the winner plans to purchase his first home and assist family members with their mortgages. He expressed a sense of responsibility in managing his windfall wisely. “This win opens up a whole new world of opportunities for me and my family. It means my parents can finally retire—they have worked so hard to give us a good life—and that’s going to feel very special,” he noted. He also mentioned the potential to alleviate financial stress for his children, enabling them to pursue their aspirations more freely.

While the family has not yet held a formal celebration, they have plans to visit their favorite local restaurant for a quiet gathering in the coming days.

Another winner, an Auckland resident, experienced a similar surprise when he checked his MyLotto account early on Sunday morning. This man, who also wishes to remain anonymous, shared that he plays occasionally but had purchased several tickets leading up to the record draw. “I play now and then; it’s easy to get busy and forget to buy a ticket. Honestly, it was just fortuitous timing that I remembered for this draw,” he remarked.

For his ticket, he selected a combination of personal numbers and some random lines, with the lucky combination coming from the random selection. “It was the random line that won,” he confirmed. The shock of his win was palpable when he opened the MyLotto app and saw the significant amount displayed on his ticket.

These wins highlight the excitement and life-changing possibilities that come with participating in lotteries, showcasing the joy and newfound opportunities for families across New Zealand.