The syndicate of six, who wish to remain anonymous, have been playing their $7, 10-line Lotto ticket with the same numbers for the past eight years.
The winning first division ticket was sold at Park Night ‘n Day in Timaru.
A syndicate member said her husband watched the live draw every Wednesday and Saturday.
"I see him sat there, his face lit up with hope five minutes before the draw, and disappointed five minutes after the draw.
"On Saturday he was watching a movie at the same time, so he quickly flicked over and wrote the numbers on the TV guide and went back to his film — he hadn’t even realised they were our numbers.
"It wasn’t until a little bit later that he came through to the bedroom and handed me the ticket and the TV guide and said ‘hey, have a look at this!’ I thought he was having me on like he usually does," she said.
Except this time, he was not.
The woman checked their ticket against the numbers he had written down, and when she realised they had matched all six she was elated.
"We both laid back on the bed and kicked our legs in the air and shouted ‘wahoo’,’’ she said.
Then they called their children to share the good news.
"I told them they all better get around here quick — that we wanted to tell them something.
"It was great telling them — none of them could believe it.
She said one of the children even called them the next day to double-check that they were not joking.
"It really couldn’t have come at a better time for us all — everyone already has plans for their share of the money.
"It’s going to go toward mortgages and renovations among other things.
"It’s going to help a lot of people," the woman said.
— APL
