5 October 2004

Winning Wheel Luck Turns Auckland's Way. Search Begins For Waiheke Island Ticket Holder

Lotto Winning Wheel's latest winner, Vernon Chand from Titirangi, won $100,000 and this week's Winning Wheel ticket was sold on Waiheke Island, announced Trevor Hall, Chief Executive of New Zealand Lotteries Commission.

"I'm over the moon," said Mr Chand who plans to pay off his mortgage.

This week's Winning Wheel serial number belongs to a ticket sold at Unichem Waiheke Pharmacy. Since opening, the outlet has sold tickets to almost 100,000 winners, with winnings totalling $3 million.

"It's exciting for Waiheke Island, we hope the winner is a local person," said Mr Mike Poland, owner of the store.

Mr Chand's win came from a multi-draw ticket bought at Green Bay Shell. Although his ticket was one of the first to be drawn for Lotto's Winning Wheel, he didn't check it for five weeks.

"Winners get a surprise when they check their tickets," said Mr Hall. "The Winning Wheel is a serial number draw so players have another chance to win regardless of whether they have won any other prizes on their Lotto ticket."

Winners - who come to the Capital with a support person and get to stay at the luxury Duxton Hotel, have exhibition passes to Te Papa, a shopping trip with a stylist to choose clothes for their TV appearance and a meal with a Lotto Presenter - have said the trip to Wellington to spin the Winning Wheel has become a once-in-a-lifetime memory.

Mr Chand's wife and 21 month year old son flew to Wellington to be with him for his Winning Wheel experience and were at Avalon Studio's for the live Lotto draw.

"The hospitality has been top notch and we couldn't ask for anything better," said Mr Chand.

"Auckland Lotto players are certainly having a lucky week," said Mr Hall. "As well as the Winning Wheel wins, a third share of this week's First Division went to a ticket from Meadowbank, Auckland."

The ticket, worth $335,139, was claimed on Sunday.

Winning Wheel winner's prize for draw 901, Saturday 2 October:

Mr Vernon Chand from Titirangi, Auckland won $100,000.

Winning serial number detail for draw 901, Saturday 2 October:

Store Town Serial Number Unichem Waiheke Pharmacy Waiheke Island 667-17237250-20XX

Winning Wheel ticket serial numbers from previous draws still to be claimed:

Store Town Serial Number Raureka Lotto & Superette Hastings 626-27422219-20XX Schofields Paper Power Papatoetoe 638-38157825-20XX

ENDS