Lotto player wins $9m

South Aucklanders today begin trying to find out who scooped the big prize in last night Lotto's draw.

One of their neighbours is $9 million richer after winning the seventh biggest jackpot in Lotto history.

The lucky player bought a ticket at Manukau City Lotto in Auckland and won a total of $9,357,086, with $8,838,713 from winning Powerball first division and $518,373 from Lotto first division. Another ticket sold at Pak 'n Save in Rotorua also won Lotto First Division last night - $518,373.

It is the third big Powerball payout this year. In September, an Aucklander won $15 million and in June a Napier resident scored $12 million.

The good luck must have rubbed off on Michelle Blampied from Mosgiel, near Dunedin. She became only the second person to win $1 million on the Winning Wheel last night.

On September 3, Kathy Laugesen from Whakatane was the first to have the wheel stop on the $1 million spot.

Mrs Blampied bought her ticket at Wellington Airport after thinking to herself that North Islanders always seemed to win most of the prizes.

"It is the first time that we have the Powerball and Winning Wheel go on one night," said Helen Morgan-Banda from the New Zealand Lotteries Commission.

New Zealand Lotteries Commission chief executive Trevor Hall said it was going to be a life-changing prize for the lucky winner.

His advice to the Powerball winner was to write their name and address on the ticket, confirming their ownership, then contact NZ Lotteries for advice about further steps to take.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY