Glenfield shoppers buzz over $13.8m Powerball win

Saurabh Patel's store in Glenfield Mall sold the ticket that netted Saturday night's jackpot. Photo / Sarah Ivey

He didn't win the big one himself but Saurabh Patel is still a very happy man.

The Magazine City and Lotto co-owner was buzzing with excitement yesterday after discovering his store in Glenfield Mall had sold Saturday night's $13.8 million Lotto Powerball ticket.

While the winner had not been in to claim the prize yesterday, dozens of other curious people came to check their tickets and find out if anyone knew the identity of the lucky ticket holder.

"[A staff member] opened up at 10 o'clock and he had a queue of people waiting to check their tickets," said Mr Patel.

"We are quite excited to see the winner ... Everybody is coming in and asking."

Mr Patel said there was no way of knowing at this stage when the ticket was bought or if it was a Lucky Dip. He believed the prize had gone to a local resident because the mall tended to attract locals.

He said there was a chance the winner did not know yet. "There are some people who never check their tickets; they just bring it in."

The store has also sold two first division winners. They were for $1 million each and both were redeemed at other Lotto outlets.

Saturday's win - $13,290,012 in Powerball and $564,675 in Lotto's first division - was the biggest prize of the year. "It's quite exciting. Hopefully this time we will be able to see the winner."

Mr Patel planned to celebrate the win by decorating his store today with posters, a big banner and possibly T shirts for the staff.

Meanwhile, the Masterton family who last year scooped New Zealand's largest Lotto jackpot, $36 million, say they have not allowed the big win to change their lives.

The winning syndicate was made up of a 73-year-old great-grandmother, who wants to be known only as Margaret, her daughters Siobhan and Fiona and a granddaughter now aged 20.

Other than buying a modest townhouse, Fiona told last night's Sunday programme she was still continuing her work as a nurse because of "passion".

Her sister, Siobhan, is still working in a bakery. "One thing we were told when we won was that most people that win Lotto would lose it in five years," Fiona said.

"We want to protect our families for generations to come, so we are basically spending it wisely by putting it away."

Granddaughter Alicia, a single mother, is now engaged - but her money is held in a trust until she turns 30.

But a pre-nuptial agreement is "assured" to be part of her wedding arrangements.

The family have also made several donations to local charities and towards buying an ambulance for a hospital.

When Margaret was asked if money brought happiness, she said it didn't. "Happiness is having a wonderful family, children, wonderful friends and being able to help people."