The winner of Aotearoa's third-largest Lotto windfall has yet to claim their prize, two days after news broke that the lucky player had won $33.5 million in Wednesday's Powerball draw.
The winning ticket was sold at Merivale Mall's Fresh Choice supermarket in Christchurch, with owner Craig Grant telling AM on Friday morning the shopper had yet to claim their prize in-store.
"We waited all day yesterday, looking for it to happen - but presuming they may choose to do it a little more discreetly than at the supermarket front-of-house," Grant noted.
A spokesperson for Lotto confirmed to Newshub on Friday morning the winner has yet to claim their fortune.
But it hasn't dampened the spirits of staff at Fresh Choice, with champagne flowing on Thursday morning to celebrate being the home of one of Lotto New Zealand's largest windfalls.
An affluent suburb, Merivale is already home to many millionaires, but Grant hopes the life-changing sum will go to someone who "needs and deserves it".
The Lotto spokesperson added they will announce when the money has been claimed.
Wednesday's winner is the ninth Powerball multi-millionaire of 2023, the win coming just over a month after a $10.5 million Powerball prize was secured by an Auckland couple.
Tickets can be checked in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Players can phone Lotto NZ on 0800 695 6886 if they want to enquire about the best way to claim a prize.
