$26.2m Lotto prize claimed

NZ Herald

25 Feb, 2014 02:02 AM2 mins to read

Nilesh Shah owns Willy Wonka where the ticket was sold. The shop has been decked out with signs to get people to check their tickets. Photo / Brett Phibbs

An Auckland man has claimed Lotto's six biggest prize in New Zealand.

The city's newest multi-millionaire came forward today to claim Saturday night's $26.2 million jackpot - despite knowing for at least three days he had the winning ticket.

"The numbers came out and I had them all, and I thought 'Ok, I just need to get the number six now'. So when the Powerball came out, I let out the biggest yell.

"And some obscenities too, if I'm honest," he said.

The winner, whose name has not been released by Lotto NZ, said he had enjoyed the recent speculation around the winning ticket.

"It was quite fun reading about the search for the winner in the paper each morning knowing all the while that I had the winning ticket in my back pocket."

When he purchased the ticket from Willy Wonka's in the Downtown Shopping Centre, he had a "good feeling," he said.

"I never normally watch the live draw on Saturday night, but for some reason I had a good feeling about it this week.

"I actually felt it as soon as I took hold of the ticket - so I made sure to watch," the winner said.

"I was stunned - that's the best word - just absolutely stunned. I had a sleepless night, that's for sure."

The new millionaire said he planned to help his family with his new found dosh - as well as splash out on a nice holiday.

"I know we're still in summer - but I'm already thinking about escaping the New Zealand winter. Now I'll be able to treat myself to a holiday somewhere warm during the winter months - I can have the best of both worlds."