KEY POINTS:
Lotto's Powerball jackpot has reached a maximum, must-be-won $30 million.
The estimated $25m top prize went unclaimed last night, despite a record sale of 2.5 million tickets, more than double the usual number.
Seven people shared the First Division payout, each winning $316,000. But none had 8 as their Powerball, a choice that would have turbo-charged their windfall.
Lotto spokeswoman Karen Jones said once Powerball hit $30m, the "must-be-won draw" rules applied. If no one gets all six numbers plus the Powerball, the jackpot will go to second division winners (five numbers) with the correct Powerball, and so on down the divisions.
"If you never buy a ticket, next week would be a good time to start," she said.
The queue was out the door at Auckland's luckiest Lotto shop yesterday, and those lining up were putting their minds to how they'd spend the money if their ticket was the winner.
Trish Johnson knows better than most how lucky the Browns Bay Toy World is - she has already won $10,000 from an Instant Kiwi bought there and hoped that her luck would strike again.
If she won the top prize, Johnson said she would bank the money for a month and "just think about it".
Browns Bay local Rex North said he would pay off mortgages and go on a cruise. "Then I'd decide what to do with the rest, but I'd take my time doing it."
Generous Colin Leslie said he'd give at least half of his winnings to family and friends, then buy a house and set up a scholarship for kids to go to a Montessori school.
Financial planners advise big winners to have some fun but put most of their money in bank deposits or bonds for six to 12 months while they work out how they want to spend it.
