Young Mum Pots Jackpot

A young mother is now walking around Tauranga with a big smile on her face after claiming a whopping $8,645,798 in cash and luxury prizes from Big Wednesday's First Division Jackpot.

The winning ticket was sold at Tauranga City Lotto, Tauranga, and is the third largest First Division prize ever won on Big Wednesday since the game was launched in October 2005.

The two highest prizes were a $12,588,100 win in Wellington in October last year, and $12,820,124 in Thames in February 2006.

"The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, is over the moon", says NZ Lotteries Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

The winning prize was claimed yesterday.

The Tauranga local could not believe her eyes when she checked her winning numbers online and had to ask a family member to double check her ticket.

"It's all a bit overwhelming to be honest.

"But this is just the thing needed for my young family - we'll be able to clear some debt, sit back and just think about the possibilities offered by the future," she said.

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