$8m Lotto winner may not know they're rich

Some lucky Lotto player is $8.6 million richer, but may not know it yet.

The prize, bought in Tauranga, was won in the New Year's Eve draw and remained unclaimed last night.

New Zealand Lotteries said it was possible whoever bought the ticket was unaware that he or she was now a multimillionaire.

"They may have had a big night on New Year's Eve and haven't got round to checking yet," said chief executive Trevor Hall.

The prize was made up of $8 million from Powerball First Division and $601,253 from Lotto First Division, making it the eighth-biggest win in New Zealand lottery history.

The ticket was sold at Mags & Cards on Cameron Rd, which was closed yesterday, but a sign outside said the shop already boasted one Lotto millionaire and eight First Division winners.

Lotto's biggest-ever prize was $15.3 million, won in Auckland in September.

The New Year's Eve prize was one of several other multimillion dollar wins by Powerball players last year.

A Hawkes Bay family took home $12 million after buying a ticket in Napier in June.

In November, a ticket sold in Manukau returned its owner $9.4 million, and a Rugby Sevens fan won $6.6 million from a ticket bought in Paraparaumu in February.

Mr Hall advised the latest winner to write his or her name and address on the ticket to confirm ownership.

The next step should be to contact the NZ Lotteries office in Wellington.

The Lotto First Division was shared with another winner who was also yet to collect the prize.

That ticket was sold at Books & More in Hastings.

* NZ Lotteries (04) 802-7000.