An Auckland man has come forward to claim a $4.5 million Powerball prize more than two weeks after winning.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he had no idea the prize had even been won – let alone that it was still unclaimed. It wasn’t until he stopped by the dairy where he’d bought the ticket, two and a half weeks later, that he finally checked it.

“I didn’t know anyone from Auckland had won – never mind that it hadn’t been claimed. It was in my bag the whole time, coming with me to and from work and wherever else I’ve been,” he said.

He only buys a ticket occasionally and usually checks them when he’s back at the shops, which is why it took him a while to discover the win.

When ‘Congratulations, you’re a winner’ popped up on the screen, he didn’t know what to think.

“The Lotto operator said ‘Ahh, we’ve been waiting for you – come with me,’ and took me out the back. That’s where they told me I’d won $4.5 million.

“I think I was in shock – I just couldn’t believe it,” he said.

Later that evening when his family arrived home, he gathered them to share the news.

“He said, ‘Hey, can you come here? I’ve got something I need to tell you,’” said one of his family members.

“When he told us I just waited… expecting him to turn around laughing and say ‘jokes!’ but he didn’t – he was very serious!”

The man is now enjoying the feeling of becoming a multi-millionaire, and says he plans to take things slow.

“There will be a lot of decisions to make so I know I need to take time to really think things through.

“The main thing I want to do is buy a home for my family – that’s always been a dream of mine – and later we’d love to go on a big family trip together.”

Notes:

• The winning Powerball ticket was bought from Glen Innes Dairy and Lotto Outlet for the draw on Wednesday 18 February.
• The prize is made up of $4 million from Powerball First Division and $500,000 from Lotto First Division.
• The winner would like to remain anonymous and does not wish to provide any further comment at this stage.

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