Lotto's Powerball jackpot has reached a scorching $17 million on Saturday as the draw heats up.
It's been a quiet start to the year so far for the big prize, with the last major win coming in at the end of last year.
But weeks without someone taking out the main pool has seen Powerball reach $17m tonight, along with $1m up for grabs in First Division and $400,000 in Strike. Ticket sales close at 7:30pm - so get in quick.
The last big win came in the final draw of 2023 on December 30. This prize was claimed by an Auckland couple who won $12.2m.
After claiming their massive prize online, the woman said the couple had spent the new year "processing this major change to our lives".
"It wasn't until we got the call from Lotto NZ that the reality started to sink in," the woman said.
"We're still thinking about what we'd like to do with the money, but we're pretty sensible people."
The top of the couple's wish list includes "sensible, mundane stuff, like a house and investing for the future".
"It's amazing to know we have so many options now. We can't wait to support our family and spend time on the things that really matter," the woman said.
