The city of Hastings in Hawke’s Bay has welcomed its newest Lotto millionaire, who has made headlines for her selfless decision to share her $1 million windfall with her siblings. The lucky winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, revealed that she never imagined her dreams would turn into reality when she won through a bonus ticket in last Wednesday’s Lotto draw, purchased at Tamatea Pak’nSave in Napier.
A Surprising Discovery
While going about her daily routine, the Hastings resident had tucked away her Lotto ticket in her handbag, completely unaware of the life-changing fortune it held. After grabbing a coffee post grocery shopping, she recalled the ticket’s existence and decided to check its status using a self-check ticket machine. Much to her astonishment, the on-screen message confirmed that she was indeed a winner.
“I thought I’d won something like $50,” she recounted. “So, I took it to the Lotto operator and asked, ‘Am I a winner?’” The operator’s response left her in shock, revealing she had just handed in a ticket worth a staggering $1 million as the First Division prize.
Family First
With her share of the winnings, she plans to purchase a campervan, excited about the prospect of exploring more of beautiful Aotearoa. “Other than the campervan, nothing is going to change for me,” she mentioned, also emphasizing her intention to seek financial advice to navigate this new chapter wisely. “I am so grateful and blessed to have won,” she added.
More Lotto Excitement in Hastings
The enthusiasm surrounding lotto draws continues in Hastings, as another player recently claimed a prize of $26,522 from Powerball’s Second Division with a ticket purchased at Four Square Mahora. As the excitement builds, the Powerball and Strike First Division draws have rolled over, leading to a massive jackpot of $20 million expected for the upcoming draw.
With so many fortunate events unfolding, Hastings remains a hub of lottery excitement, encouraging locals to dream big and maybe, just maybe, change their lives with a single ticket.