$5.5m Lotto winner in 'state of disbelief'

File photo / NZ Herald

An Auckland man has had the perfect start to the new year, winning $5.5 million on the New Year's Eve Lotto draw.

NZ Lotteries' acting chief executive, Warren Salisbury, said the man did not realise he had won the December 31 draw until he checked his numbers online yesterday afternoon.

The man said he was in a "state of disbelief" after discovering he had won $5 million from Powerball First Division and $500,000 from Lotto first division.

"It didn't fully sink in until I went back to the shop to claim today. Winning Lotto is what we all dream about."

The man told Lotto he has only told one other person of his huge win, and is back at his work today.

"I want to try and keep it a secret and just act as normal as possible."

The man plans to pay off his mortgage before visiting a few car yards.

"I have my eye on a brand new 4 x 4 - that will be nice to go shopping for".

The winning Lotto Powerball ticket was sold at Grand Superette in Orewa, Auckland.

The Grand Superette has only been selling Lotto since September last year, but the winner believes it is a lucky store.

"I had a few small wins from that store, so decided to keep buying tickets there," he said.

- HERALD ONLINE