Big Shoes to be Filled by New Lotto Presenter

Media Release
10 March 2008

Big Shoes to be Filled by New Lotto Presenter

Following the departure of Lotto draw favourite Hilary Timmins, the new presenter has big shoes to fill but is putting his best foot forward, says NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

Matt Lawrey, a 38-year-old Nelson based journalist, lives with his wife of three years Tania Norfolk, their two year old son, Darcy, and is expecting their second child in April and Matt is over the moon about everything.

"Getting the Lotto presenter role is like winning Lotto itself, and is so exciting on several levels. I don't have to stop doing the other things I do now, I still get to spend a lot of time with my family, and I get live TV experience too."

The former Wellingtonian has lived in Nelson for 10 years, working as a journalist and photographer for The Leader community newspaper, is an award winning radio presenter on Fresh FM, a film critic, and co-hosted TV1's 'Business is Booming' programme and is thrilled he can add Lotto presenter to his CV.

"The thing I love about my jobs is I can go to people's homes and have a chat, a cup of tea, and listen to their stories because Nelson is full of great people," says Matt.

"And now with Lotto I get a blind date with a random Kiwi every few weeks when the Winning Wheel participant comes to town and we have lunch, then do the show together live."

According to Lotto draw producer Steph Reid, Matt has exactly the right qualities they look for in a presenter.

"We want someone who shows integrity, is warm, accessible to the public, enthusiastic, genuine and watchable and Matt ticks all those boxes."

So what would Matt do if he won Lotto?

"I bought a ticket for one of the big Powerball draws over summer and was thinking about what we'd do if we won, and realised I wouldn't really want to change anything in my life or work, or even the house, which we love except do it up a bit."

Matt's first live Lotto draw is Saturday 15 March on TV2 at 8pm.

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