Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Auckland woman flushed with cash after claiming $1 million

22 August 2018

Auckland woman flushed with cash after claiming $1 million prize

A quick trip to the loo left an Auckland woman an instant millionaire after discovering the Lotto ticket she had been carrying in her wallet for three weeks had scooped $1 million with Lotto First Division.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought her winning ticket while she was out running some errands – then put the ticket in her wallet and promptly forgot about it.

Three weeks went by, and the winner was on her afternoon work break when she popped by the mall to go to the bathroom when she spotted a Lotto shop and remembered she had a Lotto ticket tucked in her wallet.

“As I headed to the loo, I remembered I had a ticket to check. I’d completely forgotten about it until then, but figured I might as well check it since I was in the area – who knows how long I would have left it otherwise,” laughed the winner.

Unbeknownst to the winner, the little yellow piece of paper she had been carrying around for three weeks was worth $1 million.

“The lady at the Lotto counter checked my ticket and told me how much I had won – I just didn’t believe her. She offered me a chair to sit down in and let the news sink in, but I just kept thinking how I needed to get back to work,” the winner laughed.

Now a millionaire, the woman had to keep a straight face as she headed back to work with her exciting news on her mind.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“I managed to finish the rest of my day at work without spilling the beans to anyone. But as soon as I got home I told the kids and called my parents to let them know the good news – they were so excited, we’re all absolutely thrilled,” said the woman.

As for why it took the woman so long to check her ticket and claim her prize, it was all down to blissful ignorance.

“I didn’t know that a winning ticket had been sold at Paper Plus Howick, let alone that it was an unclaimed $1 million ticket. Everything happened by absolute chance – from the moment I bought the ticket, right through to when I checked it. I feel very lucky,” the winner said.

With the winnings now safely in her bank account, the winner is still letting her win sink in and is taking her time deciding how she might spend her windfall.

“I’m looking forward to helping my children out and buying a new car,” finished the woman.

“Winning Lotto is so surreal, you’re constantly pinching yourself. You never think it’ll happen to you…until it does.”

The winning Lotto ticket was sold at Paper Plus in Howick for the 18 July draw.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.