Lotto Powerball rolled over to record must-go $44 million on Wednesday

Powerball was at $38 million tonight. Photo / Michael Bradley

Lotto Powerball has rolled over to a record must-go $44 million on Wednesday after it was not struck at $38 million.

"The Powerball jackpot has never been bigger - and it must be won," Lotto NZ's chief executive Wayne Pickup said.

"With a Must Be Won draw, we know that there is definitely going to be one or more winners this Wednesday and with a jackpot this size, the win is going to be life changing."

In a Must Be Won draw, if no single ticket wins Powerball First Division the prize pool rolls down to the next highest Division with winners.

In July, Powerball reached a $40 million Must Be Won for the first time. It rolled down to Powerball Division Two where it was shared between three players from Hamilton, Kawhia and Dunedin who each won $13.3 million.

Two Lotto players from New Plymouth and Nelson will be celebrating tonight after winning $500,000 each with Lotto First Division in tonight's live Lotto draw.

The winning tickets were sold at Westown Lotto in New Plymouth and Whitcoulls Nelson in Nelson.

Only one Powerball player has ever won more than $30 million - a self-proclaimed Auckland "Westie" who took home $33 million in September 2013.

The largest single Lotto prize ever won in New Zealand went to three generations of women in a Masterton family syndicate who netted $36.8 million with Big Wednesday in 2009.

So far this year the biggest single prize dished out was $22 million, won by an Ashburton family who bought their ticket online at MyLotto.co.nz.

As Lotto fever gripped the nation, the Herald this week spoke to the winners of a $13.2 million Powerball jackpot. They say their windfall two years ago has been incredible fun - so much so, they still buy tickets.

"We won $13.2 million in 2014. Seeing the winnings in our bank account was like seeing the winning Lotto numbers line up on my ticket all over again," the winners said. They requested anonymity.

"We couldn't sleep, so logged into our online banking at 4am just to see whether it had arrived - and all of a sudden, there was this long line of numbers in our account. We were jumping up and down, screaming and crying. It was unbelievable to see."

The winners bought a new family home, nice cars, set up investments and helped their families.

"Winning Powerball has enabled us to do so many things that we wouldn't have been able to otherwise.

"I'm big into my cars and winning has given me the chance to treat myself to a beautiful F-Type Jaguar [$140,000]. I never in a million years thought that I would ever own something like that."​

Financial advice is one of the main pieces of support offered to overnight millionaires.

And although taking the time to consider how you spend your cash is important, the winners' advice is to make sure you enjoy your slice of fortune.

"Think about what you want to do carefully before you make any big decisions - don't get carried away," they said.

"The most important thing is to take your time, get good advice, set yourself up for the future and, of course, enjoy yourself.

"Go travelling, buy a home, indulge your hobbies - make time to enjoy your win."​

​Luckiest Lotto stores

1. Unichem Stortford Lodge Pharmacy - Hastings - 43 first division wins totalling $27,260,015
2. Pak 'N Save Riccarton - Christchurch - 32 first division wins totalling $35,973,388
3. Richmond Night 'N Day - Nelson - 32 first division wins totalling $15,946,330
4. Coastlands Lotto - Paraparaumu - 29 first division wins totalling $16,374,051
5. Mall Books and Lotto - Wellington - 26 first division wins totalling $16,243,861
6. Hornby Mall Lotto - Christchurch - 26 first division wins totalling $10,291,734
7. Berrymans - Auckland - 26 first division wins totalling $8,749,678

Top NZ lottery wins over $20 million

1. $36.8 million, June 2009 Masterton
2. $33 million, September 2013 Auckland
3. $28.7 million, October 2010 Auckland
4. $27 million, September 2012 Tauranga
5. $26.5 million, March 2012 Te Kauwhata
6. $26.2 million, February 2014 Auckland
7. $24.3 million, June 2015 Rotorua
8. $22.5 million, September 2013 Christchurch
9. $22.4 million, October 2009 Auckland
10. $22.2 million, April 2016 Ashburton
11. $20.5 million, November 2009 Invercargill
12. $20.2 million, September 2014 Auckland