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Whangamata man claims $4 million prize

Whangamata man claims $4 million prize

A Whangamata man is celebrating this long weekend after claiming a $4 million Big Wednesday prize won just over a week ago.

The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, was tinkering in his shed last Thursday morning, totally unaware that the yellow piece of paper sitting on his bench was about to change his life.

“I was pottering around in the shed before heading to work when a family member spotted the ticket on the bench and decided to check it as they made a coffee,” explained the winner.

“As I was heading back towards the house they stepped outside and walked towards me, tears streaming down their face.

“I ran over to them and asked what was wrong, and they said, ‘You have them.’ I asked, ‘Have what?’ and they told me ‘You have all the right numbers.’ Neither of us could believe it.”

As most of the country was beginning a normal Thursday morning, the winner and his family were rushing around checking the ticket every way they could think of.

“We pulled out the paper and checked the numbers over and over again. I was loading up the results online when someone switched on the TV just as Breakfast was talking about the win – and where the ticket was bought. It all just fell into place.”

After letting the reality of his win sink in for just over a week, the winner visited Lotto’s head office just before the long weekend to claim his prize.

With the winnings now safely in his bank account, the winner is looking forward to deciding what to do with his newfound fortune.

“Even though I’ve had a over a week to work it out, I still don’t know what I’m going to do,” said the winner.

“But whatever I decide, I know it’s going to absolutely change my life – and the life of my family. It’s an amazing feeling to know so many doors are now open to us.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Whanga Books in Whangamata.

ENDS


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