Sudoku Instant Kiwi Stocking Filler Wins $50,000

Media Release 29 December 2006

Sudoku Instant Kiwi Stocking Filler Wins $50,000 For Taranaki Family

A Taranaki family's numbers have really come up after winning $50,000 on a Sudoku Instant Kiwi ticket they were given as part of a Christmas stocking, says NZ Lotteries Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

The family, who wish to remain anonymous, didn't get round to scratching the ticket on Christmas day as they were busy opening other presents and visiting extended family.

"I was sitting in the living room on Boxing Day and remembered we had been given the Instant Kiwi ticket so thought I'd give it a scratch," says the mother of the family.

"I hadn't played the Sudoku ticket before so wasn't really sure if I was winning or not but my daughter was watching over my shoulder and she said, 'You've got a whole line there'.

"The whole family thought we had won but I wasn't convinced we had won till we took it down to Ken's Lotto Shop in Patea to have it checked," says the winner.

Ken, the owner of Ken's Lotto Shop, was working behind the Lotto counter when the winners came in.

"When I took the ticket from the lady, I asked her if she was quietly confident and she said she was," says Ken.

"I couldn't believe it when the machine showed $50,000, what a win for them."

The winners are looking ahead to the New Year and are planning a family holiday with their winnings.

"We were thinking of going to Fiji on holiday next year but now we've won on the Instant Kiwi, the kids want to go to Disneyland," says the winner.

ENDS

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