Joint winner of $36m lottery dies in Masterton

Margaret Heaney (right) and her daughter Fiona Wilton. Photo / Supplied

One of the winners of New Zealand's largest lottery prize has died.

Margaret Heaney of Masterton, her two daughters and a granddaughter were part of a syndicate which won a $36.9 million jackpot last year.

The syndicate split one $12 ticket and was named "Irish Luck" in honour of the Irish roots of Mrs Heaney's late husband, John.

Mrs Heaney, who was 74, died "peacefully in her home" on Monday and a service will be held for her in Masterton tomorrow.

Mrs Heaney and her family donated some of their winnings to the Wairarapa District Health Board to spend on a new ambulance.

"Me and John used the ambulance a lot, it's time to put something back into the service," she said in December last year.

The ambulance has been dubbed "the Shamrock" and sports two four-leaf clovers on its rear doors.

Mrs Heaney and daughter Fiona Wilton also bought a complete set of new uniforms for ambulance staff, specifically designed to protect them in difficult circumstances. Their gift also enabled the purchase of state-of-the-art Stryker stretchers, extrication gear and other much-needed equipment.

Just two weeks before the win, Mrs Heaney was turned down for a bank loan for a small car. In a short statement after the win she said: "I look forward to going and seeing my bank manager now."