After 25 years of playing Lotto, a Nelson man is struggling to describe how it feels to be a $16 million dollar Powerball winner.

“It’s incredible, I’m lost for words. It’s an amazing feeling because I never thought I’d win this sort of money. I’m so happy. I can’t believe it,” he said.

The delighted winner says he didn’t know about the life-changing win until he arrived at a Nelson supermarket last Thursday with his $12 dollar ticket.

“I didn’t watch the draw on TV. I always go to the store the next day because I like surprises. I put my ticket into the machine and when I looked at the screen it said, “Major Winner,” My God, I was so excited!”

The retailer took the winner and his winning ticket to an in-store office for privacy.

“I bought a bottle of wine for a small toast.

“Sometimes I’ve won like $25 or $35 dollars, but I never thought one day I’d win the jackpot!”

The winner is keeping the good news close to his chest - only sharing it with family.

“I’ve only told them, nobody else. I want to keep it a secret, but I’m going to share the winnings with my family.”

For years, the winner bought one $12 dollar ticket every Saturday and one on Wednesdays when the jackpot got high.

“On a Saturday, because I’ve got more time, I let my fingers follow the numbers and select the ones they land on. On Wednesdays I just buy a ‘random ticket’ and let the machine pick the numbers. I never spend more than $12.’

“Last Wednesday, I saw the Lotto jackpot was $16 million and I said, ‘I’m going to have a shot at this, and “Bingo!”

The enormity of the win is still sinking in, but the winner already has a few ideas about what he’ll do with his windfall.

“My dream is the dream of everybody, to buy your own house and pay it off, along with a new car. After that, I’ll probably buy a boat because I love fishing.”

“I can buy anything I want now. It’s like a dream after 25 years of hard work.”

For now though the winner is staying ‘mum’ and will take financial advice in the coming weeks. A catch up to celebrate and spend time with family is planned soon.

“This is life-changing. I’ll remember the 10th of December 2025, for the rest of my life.”

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