Million-dollar win caps perfect weekend away

One of the first things on the Cooper family's minds after winning $1 million on Lotto's Winning Wheel last night was finding a feed.

Graeme Cooper was joined wheelside by his wife Pamela and their three sons - and none could believe their luck when he spun the top prize.

"It hasn't really sunk in, we have no idea what that amount of money will mean to us," said Pamela from the family's Wellington hotel room.

"We'll be able to get rid of the mortgage and have things a little bit easier. We already thought of that earlier, decided that whatever we won would go on the mortgage and any extra we'd take the boys to the Gold Coast for a holiday."

The family live on Auckland's North Shore and spend only $2.40 a week on their Lotto ticket.

Pamela works part-time doing accounts and Graeme is a graphic designer. "What a great end to the perfect weekend in Wellington. We couldn't be happier," said Graeme.

Pamela said the boys were stoked with the win. "Matthew said it was the best day of his life, Joshua said it was totally awesome and Samuel keeps saying 'isn't it great to win $1000'. He has been getting a bit confused," she said. "It's amazing but it really hasn't sunk in. We just need a breather. We haven't even had any dinner."

The family will return to Auckland tonight to prepare for their normal Monday morning routine.

New Zealand Lotteries chief executive Todd McLeay said the win, shown live on TV2, was the second $1 million spin this year.

It brings the Winning Wheel tally to 12 instant millionaires since the game started.

Three players from Papakura, Pauanui and Christchurch each won $333,333 with Lotto First Division last night. Two Lotto Strike players each won $75,709 each with Strike Four.