$3.7 Million Rangiora Powerball Jackpot Claimed

Media Release
11 March 2005

For Immediate Release

$3.7 MILLION RANGIORA POWERBALL JACKPOT CLAIMED

A stunned Christchurch couple claimed their $3.7 million Powerball jackpot prize on Wednesday, New Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZ Lotteries) Chief Executive Trevor Hall announced today.

The couple, who work together, flew to Wellington and went to NZ Lotteries Head Office to claim their prize as soon as they found out they had won.

"Someone said that the Powerball Jackpot went to Rangiora and I joked that it was my ticket," said the winner.

"I was checking my ticket and got to six numbers and my hands were shaking. I took the ticket to my friend and asked her to check the Powerball number and then we both just screamed."

"At first people thought we had seen a spider, then when they realised what had happened, they wanted to see the ticket.

"I lost track of it for awhile and before I knew it, someone had booked us flights to Wellington and someone else drove us to the airport."

The couple are regular players, buying a Triple Dip each every week. Last week they bought the tickets at Rangiora Gift & Lotto.

After winning $3.7 million dollars, their immediate reaction was that life wouldn't change too much.

They have been saving for an overseas trip they might take one day and were excited that it would now be a reality.

ENDS

NZ Lotteries (New Zealand Lotteries Commission) was established in 1987 and operates in the New Zealand market as a crown entity under the Gambling Act 2003. Its purpose is to provide safe gaming that allows New Zealanders to play and win and contribute money back to New Zealand communities.

For more information: www.nzlotteries.co.nz

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