$18m Lotto winners fled country

The couple who won $18m on the Lottery fled the country after the news broke, they revealed today.

Helen and Geoff Henderson bought the winning ticket in Kaeo, Northland, and their identity was made public at the weekend.

Speaking to Paul Homes on Newstalk ZB today, Geoff said: "We had to leave the country for a few days just to get over the initial outpouring of news."

Helen said that alongside the joy from the record win came stresses for the middle-aged couple from Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.

"It is just ridiculous, it is just unbelievable. It is funny, it is happy, it is stressful," she said.

"We are just ordinary Kiwis that something extraordinary has happened to."

* Listen to the two parts of the interview using the links below or Click here to read more.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF