A Whangamata man is celebrating this long weekend after claiming a $4 million Big Wednesday prize won just over a week ago.
The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, was tinkering in his shed last Thursday morning, totally unaware that the yellow piece of paper sitting on his bench was about to change his life.
"I was pottering around in the shed before heading to work when a family member spotted the ticket on the bench and decided to check it as they made a coffee," explained the winner.
"As I was heading back towards the house they stepped outside and walked towards me, tears streaming down their face.
"I ran over to them and asked what was wrong, and they said, 'You have them.' I asked, 'Have what?' and they told me 'You have all the right numbers.' Neither of us could believe it."