New York construction worker returns to work after pocketing prize

A construction worker who pocketed a cool NZ$150 million after hitting the jackpot turned up to work the next day — and has no plans to quit his job any time soon.

Nandlall Mangal, a New Yorker originally from Guyana, won a total of US$245.6 million (NZ$378 million) in the New York Lottery's Powerball Game on August 11 after buying a US$10 (NZ$15) ticket during a grocery shop.

After taxes were deducted, the 42-year-old took home just under US$100 million (NZ$150 million).

But while most of us would have been busy popping the champagne and booking luxury holidays, Mr Mangal decided to turn up to work as normal.

In fact, he decided to keep his massive win a secret from friends, family and colleagues, and carried on with his regular routine for weeks without giving away any clues.

But that all changed late last month after Mr Mangal was forced to go public thanks to a New York State law which prevents lottery winners from remaining anonymous.

Speaking to reporters this week, he said he still had no plans to quit his job.

"I like working," the New York Post reported him as saying, adding that his colleagues were only "finding out now" about his win.

(Fox News)- When Nandlall Mangal came back from a quick trip his Staten Island home after a quick trip to Maryland last month, he decided to see if the Powerball ticket he left on the kitchen table won anything. https://t.co/pGyosfjB1D pic.twitter.com/va3HxiVudI

— News Room (@newsroomgy) September 28, 2018

Mangal, who lives with his wife in a "humble" ranch home but who has no children, also had a stern warning for any long-lost relatives hoping to cash in on his good fortune.

"If I didn't know them two weeks ago, I don't know them today," he joked.

He told reporters he didn't realise he was a millionaire straight away.

"The ticket sat on my kitchen table for a week because I was out of town," he said.

"I really don't check the ticket that often. Who's going to think they won the lotto?"

Apart from taking a trip to Hawaii, Mr Mangal does not have any big plans for his cash yet — however, he has already sought the advice of a financial planner.

"I'm going to invest some, pay off my bills, my debts. I'm pretty sure at some time, I'll buy a new car … I always wanted to travel, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to travel. I would like to go to Hawaii," he told the New York Daily News.

He told the publication he was now retiring from playing the lottery, because: "It's time for someone else to win."

The supermarket that sold Mangal the wining ticket will also score $US10,000, which will be donated to charity.