Flaxmere Pharmacy owner Tim Klingender said the team was very excited about their First Division winner, but still hoping to get an "elusive Powerball". Photo / Warren Buckland
Flaxmere Pharmacy owner Tim Klingender said the team was very excited about their First Division winner, but still hoping to get an "elusive Powerball". Photo / Warren Buckland
Flaxmere's newest First Division Lotto winner is a mystery, but one thing is certain - crowds of people will be trying to emulate their success this week.
Wednesday's $42 million Powerball jackpot has the potential to be one of NZ's largest ever Lotto prizes, and punters searching for an omen need look no further than the Hastings suburb.
Saturday's winning First Division ticket, one of four around the country to take home a $250,000 prize, was purchased at Flaxmere Pharmacy.
The prize had yet to be claimed, as of Monday afternoon.
Flaxmere Pharmacy owner Tim Klingender said the team was "very excited" about its fifth first division winner.
"I hope someone deserving in our community has won it.
"We're Flaxmere's luckiest Lotto store. The secret is being right in the community and the middle of the shopping centre."
Flaxmere Pharmacy owner Tim Klingender said it was the stores fifth First Division winner. Photo / Warren Buckland
The store had been busy in the lead-up to Saturday night, drawing both regulars and new Lotto players hoping for a shot at the $35 million Powerball prize.
Klingender said there had been a number of winners over the years but still no "elusive Powerball win".
Another Hastings Lotto player, who purchased a ticket from New Zealand's luckiest store, Unichem Stortford Lodge Pharmacy, also won $18,342, splitting Second Division with 32 other players.
Hastings' Unichem Stortford Lodge Pharmacy was inundated with Lotto players ahead of the big draw but saw only an $18,342 Second Division win - another won $250,000 at Flaxmere Pharmacy. Photo / NZME
Powerball was not struck, though, so it has climbed to a massive $42 million on Wednesday night, making it one of the largest prizes ever on offer in New Zealand.
"It's one for the Lotto NZ history books," said Kirsten Robinson, senior corporate communications manager at Lotto NZ.
"If you want a ticket for Wednesday's Powerball draw – get in early."
Strike Four also rolled over and will be $1 million on Wednesday night, meaning it will be a Must Be Won draw.
In a Strike Must Be Won draw, if no single ticket wins First Division, the prize pool is added to the next highest division with a winner.
