South Island Woman Wins $1 Million Top Prize on Lotto’s Winning Wheel after Buying Winning Ticket in Wellington
A chance purchase of a Lotto ticket at Wellington Airport has paid off handsomely for Mosgiel woman Michelle Blampied
who became a millionaire live on television tonight after winning $1 million cash on Lotto’s Winning Wheel, says New
Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZ Lotteries) Chief Executive Trevor Hall.
Mrs Blampied, in Wellington with her mum Shirley Morshuis, said she was ‘absolutely rapt’ about the win.
“I never expected to win the $1 million in 100 years. I came here with the attitude that if I got the Volkswagen Golf
I’d be really rapt. After all, I only bought a $6 Lucky Dip ticket
“I’m absolutely delighted. I’m really thrilled I got the opportunity to spin the Winning Wheel, and now I’m absolutely
rapt with what I’ve won.
Mrs Blampied, from Mosgiel near Dunedin, bought her ticket at Wellington Airport while attending a trade show in the
Capital after thinking to herself ‘North Islanders always seem to win most of the prizes’.
Tonight she was still coming to terms with her huge win. She and husband Chris planned to attend the Calgary Stampede in
Canada next year, and the prize money would be an ‘added bonus’.
NZ Lotteries Chief Executive Trevor Hall said he would like to congratulate the Blampied family on behalf of the whole
team at NZ Lotteries.
“What a wonderful experience to go on to our live draw, spin Winning Wheel and come away $1 million richer.
"That's the amazing thing about Lotto and Winning Wheel. We can really change people's lives in a few seconds. How great
it must have felt to watch the wheel slow down and realise that you are suddenly a millionaire.
Mrs Blampied is a regular Lotto player who buys ‘every week without fail’. She bought her winning Winning Wheel ticket
at Wellington Airport. She is the second spinner, and second woman, to win $1 million on Winning Wheel.
On 3 September Kathy Laugesen from Whakatane was the first spinner to have the wheel stop on the magic $I million spot.
ENDS