$27 million Powerball jackpot fuels Kiwi dreams

Media Release 26 October 2016

$27 million Powerball jackpot fuels Kiwi dreams

The Powerball jackpot is a life-changing $27 million for tonight’s draw, which could see one lucky player becoming one of New Zealand’s biggest-ever winners.

Only four players in the history of Lotto NZ have won prizes of $27 million or more, meaning this jackpot has the potential to be in the top five wins in New Zealand of all time.

From helping out friends and family to splashing out on new toys, every winner has a different way of celebrating their newfound wealth.

The largest lottery win in New Zealand was $36.8 million, which was struck by a Masterton family syndicate. The family were able to pay off student loans and mortgages, and have famously donated two ambulances to their local Free Ambulance service.

The largest winner in recent times was a player from West Auckland who scooped $33 million with Powerball just over three years ago.

The first thought across this winner’s mind was to buy a brand new car for his wife – he felt it was the least he could do considering her lucky number was the winning Powerball number, which turned out to be worth $33 million.

Back in 2010, a family man from Papakura who described himself as “a keen pig hunter” put himself in the history books when he won $28.7 million with Powerball.

The best part about the windfall for this winner was the time and freedom it would allow for him to pursue his hobbies – including diving and fishing.

The only other player to win $27 million was a young man from Tauranga in 2012. He went to the hairdressers to get a haircut, but when the hairdressers was shut he decided to pick up a lottery ticket instead.

That decision turned into $27 million and fuelled the self-confessed “greenie’s” dream to build an eco-friendly house and live off the grid.

With $27 million up for grabs tonight, Lotto players all over New Zealand will be creating their own dream list.

“Over 120 players have won big with Powerball over the years,” said Emilia Mazur, Lotto NZ’s General Manager Corporate Communications.

“Every winner has their own unique dream of what they’d do if they won. But what we do know is that the only thing every Powerball winner has in common is that they all had a ticket.”

Lotto players can buy a ticket for tonight’s $27 million Lotto Powerball draw from any Lotto retailer or online at MyLotto.co.nz.

Top five lottery wins in New Zealand

ENDS

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