Meet the $2.8 million man

One of New Zealand's biggest Lotto winners reckons that winning is all in the bones - and helped by a little bit of karma.

As thousands of New Zealanders last night scrambled for a share of a $6 million Powerball jackpot, Dean Harrison says his own $2.8 million win last year was not a bolt out of the blue.

"I'd decided a long time ago I was going to win Lotto," said the labourer-turned-salesman, who won with a $20 lucky dip ticket.

The Christchurch man bought the ticket from a local PostShop because he was "feeling lucky" and had a spare $20 note in his pocket.

After seeking financial advice, he paid off the mortgage and bought two new cars, a boat and a new truck. The rest he invested in property and spent on family and friends.

The windfall was not his first piece of good luck.

Since starting a career in sales 20 years ago, the 44-year-old has found a grand total of 19 wallets. All were returned, with money and cards intact, to their owners or police. "I believe you reap what you sow," he said.

The honest millionaire has also had $50 and $20 notes stick to the windscreen of his car several times, and says he always finds a parking space outside his destination.

Mr Harrison believes the source of his luck is his positive attitude towards money and wealth, and he is writing a book about luck and how to improve it. "It's not just the money. It's the belief that good things do happen if you believe it and you choose to attract it."

He advised other winners to seek good financial advice before spending or investing the money, and to protect any investments by setting up a family trust.

He said giving money to family and friends incurred a gift tax, and was fraught with emotion because it was such a "loaded" activity.

Rather than worrying whether a gift was too much or not enough, Mr Harrison advised people to trust their intuition.

A Lotteries Commission spokeswoman said sales had gone wild in the week leading up to last night's draw. "We do find once the jackpot gets over $5 million there is an increase in sales," said Helen Morgan-Banda.

- Herald on Sunday