KEY POINTS:
A frustrated quest for a supermarket special had a happy ending for a Wanganui couple who scooped more than $3 million in winnings in this week's Big Wednesday draw.
The couple did not realise they had the winning ticket, until they read a story in their local paper that it had been sold at Wanganui New World.
The man who bought the ticket had gone to the supermarket in search of margarine special.
"Ironically, my husband came back from the shopping grumpy as the margarine special had finished by the time he got around to going to the supermarket," the man's wife said today.
"However, while he was there he decided to get his Big Wednesday tickets - which was a much better buy for us."
The couple won a first division prize package worth $2,997,140 made up of $2 million cash, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, an Audi Q7, a $250,000 American Express platinum card, a $250,000 luxury travel package and a Rayglass Legend 2500 Boat.
The winners had covered heads and tails on their entries, so they won an extra $86,251 with second division.
The couple said they planned to buy a new house and also to help out family.
"We would love to shout our family a trip to Disneyland - that would be a great way to celebrate our win," the winning wife said.
"Also on the shopping list is a Powerball ticket for this weekend's draw," they said.
"Maybe lightning could strike twice for us."
Powerball this weekend is estimated to reach more than $25 million.
- NZPA
