ABCs Worth $50,000 To Palmerston North Principal

Media Release 7 December 2006

ABCs Worth $50,000 To Palmerston North School Principal

Crossing her 't's and dotting her 'i's has paid off for a Palmerston North School Principal who has won $50,000 on an Instant Kiwi crossword ticket, says NZ Lotteries Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw that I'd won, I've never won anything like this before," said the winner, who wishes to remain anonymous.

The winner's husband had trouble believing his wife had won the big prize also, after missing out on an Instant Kiwi top prize himself only two weeks earlier.

"It's funny because about two weeks ago he [my husband] thought he'd won $50,000 on an Instant Kiwi Sudoku ticket, but when we looked closer we realised he hadn't scratched off the latex properly and the letter he thought was 'V' was actually 'W'," said the winner.

The lucky woman, a mother of three, won the $50,000 top prize on a $3 Instant Kiwi Christmas Crossword, which she purchased at Pak 'n Save in Palmerston North.

"I've told quite a few people, and they've all been very excited for me. The kids at school know too, I had to tell them when I pulled up in a new car," she says.

The woman has plans to spend the remainder of her winnings on a trip to London to visit her son and daughter.

"It's so great not to have to save up for my travel fund," she says.

Last month a Manawatu woman shopping in Palmerston North won $500,000* on an Instant Kiwi Set for Life ticket she purchased at Inner City Lotto & Post.

There are five top prizes remaining on Instant Kiwi's $3 Christmas Crossword.

* The $500,000 Set for Life top prize is paid out as an annuity of $50,000 a year for ten years.

ENDS

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