Last Minute Purchase Nets Chch Couple $5.1 Mil

Media Release 10 August 2009

Last Minute Purchase Nets Christchurch Couple $5.1 Million

A Christchurch couple claimed their $5.1 million Big Wednesday prize package this afternoon, after nearly forgetting to purchase the ticket.

Their winning ticket was purchased at their regular store, Bridge Street Dairy in Christchurch, only 15 minutes before the draw closed.

The winners won a First Division prize package worth $4,939,577 which consists of $3,199,517 cash, an Audi R8, a Porsche Cayenne, a $250,000 American Express Platinum card, a $250,000 cash towards travel package, a Four Winns boat and $750,000 cash towards a bach. The couple have decided to take all the luxury prizes in cash.

In addition, the couple won a Big Wednesday Second Division prize of $209,624, taking their total winnings to $5,149,201.

The winners didn't realise they had won the fortune until Thursday. They heard that a winning ticket had been won in Christchurch and got online to get the results.

"The winning line just sort of jumped out at me so I phoned my partner at work to tell her what happened," the man said.

"I couldn't get it out of my head so I was useless at work for the rest of the day. I wanted to run outside and scream!" the woman said.

The couple validated their ticket at the same store on Friday. As they walked into the store the retailer said "Have you got the winning ticket?" and the winners replied 'Yes!"

They were so excited about the win that they forgot to buy their regular ticket for Saturday's Lotto draw.

The couple are aware they have some important decisions to make for their future and are looking forward to talking to the bank tomorrow. They want to help out their families and give them a secure future.

"It's not just our lives that are going to change, it's everyone around us," the couple said.

This multi-million dollar Big Wednesday win follows a $36 million Big Wednesday prize won by a Masterton syndicate in June - this was the biggest prize in NZ Lotteries' history.

ENDS

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