One lucky Southland man has found himself $1 million richer after finding out he bought a winning ticket in last week's Lotto First Division.
While he wished to remain anonymous, the man bought the ticket last week from the Tuatapere Four Square.
Being a regular Lotto player he had kept a Lotto ticket in his wallet for three months before checking it on Friday, and after finding that had won him $30 he decided to purchase a Triple Dip ticket for the Saturday draw.
“I never would have thought that $30 would turn into $1 million… it’s incredible.
“I didn’t watch the draw as I was watching a movie with my wife. My daughter was texting me; ‘Dad, have you checked your Lotto ticket tonight?’ She was getting into the banter and saying things like ‘sharing is caring, Dad’, and ‘it’s always good to see Lotto winners who look after their family eh?’ She thought she was pretty funny," he said.
When his movie finished, he checked his ticket on the Lotto NZ App and was in "shock" when the words ‘a major prize’ popped up.
“It was an incredible moment. I was just staring at the ticket in disbelief. I couldn’t believe it and I still can’t.
“I didn’t sleep at all that night. I was just lying in bed thinking about the 10,000 things my wife and I could do with the money. It’s going to change our lives.”
The man checked his ticket in store on Sunday to confirm the win and celebrated with his wife over a few quiet drinks that evening.
They plan to buy their first home with the money, something they have been saving towards.
“I am definitely going to carry on working. I like to be busy, but this win will help to set us up. It is going to be great to have that financial security.”
