Backpacker Now Has One Million Dollars in Backpack

Media Release
26 February 2008

Backpacker Now Has One Million Dollars in Backpack

An Australasian backpacker has won one million dollars after buying a Lotto ticket on only his second day in New Zealand.

Today the backpacker claimed his one million dollar first division prize winnings from NZ Lotteries' office in Wellington, and put the cheque straight into his backpack for transport to a bank.

The backpacker, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought his ticket with two backpacking mates on the spur of the moment whilst in Countdown Northlands Lotto Kiosk in Christchurch.

That night they all watched the Lotto draw and wrote down the numbers. When they checked their tickets later that evening, our lucky winner realised his very first line matched all the winning Lotto numbers.

"My heart started racing and I had to get my friends to double check the numbers," he said, "it's just a dream come true."

"The first thing I did was to ring my mum and share the good news with my family!

"We had planned to travel around New Zealand for a few months and I was going to go fruit picking to earn some money along the way. However, we will now be able to travel in a bit more style.

"I still want to continue my holiday, however I am now thinking about some business or study possibilities that this win will make possible," the winner said.

This is the second million won in Christchurch in two weeks, with a lucky local man also claiming his one million Lotto first division prize last week.

Lotto Powerball jackpotted on the weekend, and will be worth an estimated $9 million this weekend.

ENDS

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