Fisherman Nets $7.7 million on Boys' Weekend

4 October 2007

Taupo Fisherman Nets $7.7 million on Boys' Weekend

A lucky visitor to Taupo has today claimed a $7.7 million prize package of cash and luxury prizes in Big Wednesday's 102nd draw, says NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

The winner arrived in style in a luxury limousine, with his supporters, to claim his prize in person at NZ Lotteries' Wellington office.

The winning ticket was sold at Paper Plus in Taupo and has won the total Big Wednesday First Division prize package valued at $7,794,563.

The prize is the fourth-biggest Big Wednesday prize won since the game's launch, and is made up of $5.5 million cash, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, an Audi Q7, a $250,000 American Express Platinum card, $250,000 luxury travel, a Rayglass Legend boat, a $500,000 holiday home and a $750,000 luxury apartment.

The lucky winner wishes to remain anonymous but is a New Zealander who now resides in Australia.

He was visiting Taupo to catch up with some old mates for a fishing and golfing weekend and happened to add a Big Wednesday ticket to his local shopping trip.
"I came for a boys' fishing weekend but ended up with a much bigger catch. The weather was bad for fishing anyway."

The winner was having breakfast in a local café when he heard some nearby people talking about a big one being sold in Taupo. "So I checked my ticket, realised I was the winner, and then felt numb and a bit shaky," he said.

The winner has been playing with the same numbers for many years, however they have never come up for him in the Australian lotteries.

"I figure that New Zealand is going to beat Australia in the Rugby World Cup, so it's only fair that I win a kiwi lottery to take back to Australia," he said.

"It will certainly help me to live the ultimate lifestyle in Aussie, but more importantly it will also enable me to help out my family," he said.

The winner plans many return visits to New Zealand in the future, but particularly back to Taupo, after this lucky weekend.

There have been 17 Big Wednesday First Division winners over its 102 draws. Big Wednesday's First Division was last won on 25 July 2007, with a player in Gisborne winning a $2.8 million prize package.

ENDS

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