Wairoa hoping $10.3m Lotto winner is a local
Stuff
A $10.3m Lotto prize was won by someone with a ticket sold in Wairoa. Residents are hoping the winner is a local.
Wairoa residents have one big hope after a ticket sold in the town won $10.3 million in Saturday night’s Lotto draw.
“All we wish for, it’s just a local from Wairoa,” said Michele Lynch, Lotto manager at New World Wairoa where the winning ticket was sold.
But many people did pass through the town and bought Lotto tickets at the supermarket.
Wairoa, in northern Hawke’s Bay, was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle in February, with many people forced out of their homes, and a massive clean up needed afterwards.
“People are so excited, wondering who it’s going to be,” Lynch said on Sunday.
“Everyone is wishing the same, wishing it’s a local, someone from here.”
The store opened at 7am on Sunday, and she was already being asked if someone had come in to claim the prize.
Hawke's Bay Civil Defence
The northern Hawke's Bay town of Wairoa was severely flooded during Cyclone Gabrielle in February.
“Wairoa is a small town,” Lynch said.
She recalled a first division prize for $510,000 was won with a ticket sold in the town a couple of years ago. “This is way bigger.”
The prize in Saturday’s big win was made up of $10m from Powerball First Division and $333,333 from Lotto First Division.
Two other Lotto players won $333,333 on Saturday’s live Lotto draw. Those winning tickets were sold at Fresh Choice Geraldine and on MyLotto to a player from Auckland.
The win comes just weeks after a $37.125m Powerball prize was won by a couple from Paraparaumu.
That couple said they were looking forward to helping their family with the win.
