Media Release 28 February 2007

Hastings Man Claims $1 Million Win Of A Lifetime

A hard-working father of three has claimed the $1 million Lotto First Division prize won in Hastings last weekend, says NZ Lotteries Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

The Hastings man, who wishes to remain anonymous, is still amazed by his huge windfall as he waits for the reality of it to sink in.

"I don't think I've felt any shock, I'm more amazed that I've had a bit of luck," he says.

"My family is more excited than I am about it all; they're the ones jumping around and getting excited. Until I see the money in my hand it doesn't feel very real for me," he says.

The lucky winner, who is in his early fifties, has careful plans for his winnings but at this stage doesn't plan to touch it for a while.

"I'd like to be able to grow it to the stage where I don't have to work. It will be nice to be able to go out to the odd restaurant for dinner now and then and do other small things that I wouldn't do otherwise.

"If you've gone without for long enough…this sort of thing is never going to happen to me again so I'm gong to make sure it lasts," he says.

The man's million dollar wining ticket was purchased and claimed at Radius Pharmacy Peter Dunkerley's in Hastings.

The Hawkes Bay region has had a good run of luck with Lotteries prizes recently, with another Hastings player winning a $166,667 Lotto First Division prize two weekends ago on a ticket purchased at PAK 'n SAVE in Hastings.

Two other Hawkes Bay players have recently won top Instant Kiwi prizes also, with one player winning $25,000 on a ticket purchased at PAK 'n SAVE in Hastings, and another player winning a $50,000 top prize on a ticket purchased at Countdown, Napier.

ENDS

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