A lucky Taranaki family has claimed $12.5 million from the Lotto Powerball draw.
The family, who have chosen not to be identified, have a long-standing tradition of buying Lotto tickets as a syndicate group when they get together throughout the year.
"We had popped out for a coffee and some shopping and decided to stop by Fitzroy Lotto & Mags [in New Plymouth] to pick up our family ticket," said the sister that bought the winning ticket.
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It was kept safe at one of the sister's houses. One of the sisters checked the ticket numbers after a spotting a Facebook post saying the winning Powerball ticket had been sold at the store they had visited.
"I bolted across the house and told my other sister that we'd bought our ticket from the winning store," said the sister, adding that it was too late to call the store and they had to wait until morning.
The family had kept the winning ticket safe for a week before claiming the $12.5 million prize at Auckland's Lotto New Zealand head office on Friday.
Having claimed their winnings, the family say they're looking forward to using it to set-up their family financially, both now and for future generations.
"This win is an amazing gift and we want to make the most of it. It's an incredible feeling knowing that our children and grandchildren won't have to count every penny," said the winners.
"I'm sure it will sink in eventually, but for now we can hardly believe it. We feel incredibly, incredibly lucky."
Newshub.
