A retired truck driver from South Auckland has claimed the $10.7 million prize in last Saturday's Lotto draw, saying his ticket was a gift from a friend and that his first buy with his winnings would be a new pair of jandals.
The Pukekohe resident wished to remain anonymous, said a Lotto spokeswoman, but had claimed his prize in person at the Auckland office yesterday afternoon.
He was accompanied by his two best friends, including the one who had bought him the ticket as a thank you for helping around the house.
The friend bought three tickets from Countdown Pukekohe during the trio's weekly shopping trip.
The friend gave one to the winner and one to the other friend and kept the third.
The gift ticket, with the intended owners' initials on it, won the Powerball first division of $10,249,807 and $500,000 from Lotto's first division.
The winner told Lotto: "The first thing I'm going to buy is some new jandals. It's about time I threw these ones away.
"But other than that, I've no idea.
"I'm just glad I have my friends to bounce ideas off as I get to grips with this win -- it's life changing."
The Lotto spokeswoman said the man's two friends were " thrilled" for him.
"They looked forward to him having the flexibility to enjoy himself a little more and indulge in a few little luxuries."
Pukekohe Senior Citizens Club president Noella Blackett said she did not know the identity of the winner but thought it would be hard for him to remain anonymous in a town of 20,000 residents.
She said the description of him as a retired truck driver could be a red herring.
"But I know some retired people who only have a pension and who don't own their home and have to pay rent. It would be a thrill if it were someone like that."
By Wayne Thompson of the New Zealand Herald
