Lotto jackpot not struck

The Powerball $30 million prize up for grabs tonight wasn't struck.

The jackpot will now be $34 million on Wednesday.

Lotto spokeswoman Emilia Mazur said it was one of the largest jackpots ever on offer.

Strike Four also rolled over tonight and will be worth $300,000 on Wednesday night.

If the prize continues to roll over, a must-win draw will be called at $40 million.

There were four division one winners tonight who each took home $250,000. They were from Pakuranga, Kaiapoi, Manukau and Hamilton.

The last time the jackpot was over $30 million was almost three years ago, when a self-proclaimed Auckland "Westie" took home $33 million to become the country's largest-ever individual Powerball winner.

Punters who bought a $16 Triple Dip ticket - the game's most-popular ticket - faced odds of one in 3.8 million of winning large tonight.

Each line on the ticket gave a one in 38 million chance of taking home the mega-jackpot Powerball.

You're more likely to be struck by lightning, with a one in 280,000 chance in a year, and the odds of being killed in a car crash is one in 11,000. You also have a much higher chance of being born with extra fingers or toes, or nailing a hole-in-one on a par 3.

Eighteen people have won $1 million or more this year, with five of those coming from Auckland. Tiny Wainuiomata in Lower Hutt - population 16,786 - can lay claim to two million-dollar prizes so far in 2016.

What do those winners spend their newfound cash on? According to Lotto, half jetted off on overseas holidays, including family trips to Disneyland and a 70-day around-the-world cruise.

Just under half decided property was an area to allocate some of their funds, with 40 per cent paying off their mortgage or buying a new home.

Another 40 per cent splashed out on new cars, motorbikes and boats.

A recent winner of $15 million in Powerball said it was important to stay calm despite the excitement that a big win creates.

"Surround yourself with people you trust and get their advice, whether that's your partner, kids, best friend or a financial adviser.

"Having someone you can throw ideas around with is really valuable."

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