Lotto win written in stars

An octogenarian from Canterbury says her $500,000 Lotto First Division win this week was written in the stars - but the astrological advice for her today is not to spend up large.

"I always read the horoscopes in The Press, and a few weeks ago it said some money would come through soon, just in time to get some accommodation - and sure enough I get this win, and then a unit has come available to buy too.

"But today's stars say 'you know what you want to buy, but don't spend', so I better pay attention to that too!" laughs the lucky Sagittarian from Rangiora.

The town is proving the place to be for prizes this week. A local woman won a Mini Countryman with the Instant Kiwi Summer Game Pack bought at Rangiora New World, although she has decided to take the cash prize offer instead.

"We'd love to take the Mini and burn round town in it, but we're both in our 70s and it's a bit low for us, so we'll take the money this time round," she says.

The other $500,000 First Division prize from last Saturday's Lotto draw has been claimed by a Wellington couple, but it wasn't their first Lotto win.

"I just missed out on First Division before, because I turned 40 but didn't change my birthdate number from 39 to 40, and sure enough that's the number that made the difference," says the Wellington man.

"We won Second Division though, and now with this First Division Lotto win we're aiming for the big one next - so hopefully we'll see you again soon with Powerball," he laughs.

There's $9.7 million up for grabs in tomorrow night's Lotto draw, and the Lotto holiday promotion is still underway, giving Lotto Triple Dip players the chance to win one of 200 extra prizes worth over $5m.