South Island man claims $20m prize

A vintage motorcycle buff kept his $20.5 million-winning Lotto Powerball ticket hidden in his sock drawer before claiming the prize.

The South Island man, who wants to remain anonymous, bought his ticket on a whim while in Invercargill to take part in the Burt Munro Challenge - a week-long celebration of the motorcycling legend.

"It was a spur of the moment decision to get a Lotto ticket," he said. "I don't play every week but I had a spare $20 in my wallet so though I would give it a go."

The man heard on Sunday that the winning ticket was from Windsor Stationery & Lotto - where he bought his.

"I deliberately delayed checking my ticket as I wanted the magic of thinking I could be a millionaire to last a bit longer," he said.

"I didn't really think that I could be the winner, so I was completely stunned when I did look online and saw that I had right numbers."

The man then rang his partner to share the good news.

"She did not believe me. I do play the odd joke on her, so she originally thought I was having a laugh again."

The man kept his ticket in his wallet, hidden in his sock drawer.

"I haven't really been able to sleep - I kept getting up in the night to check that it is still there. It still feels a bit unreal really."

The man has already contacted his bank and has been blown away by how much interest he will earn on his win.

"It's enough for me and my partner to think about stopping work. Plus I can now really indulge my liking for vintage motorcycles. We also would like to plan some overseas travel - in style."