A forestry worker can finally fulfil his dream of owning a boat after sailing away from Saturday's Powerball draw with more than $12 million.
The winner, from the small Bay of Plenty town of Murupara, 65 kilometres southeast of Rotorua, said he had to ask his boss for a day off to make the trip to Wellington to claim the prize.
"When I told him I needed Monday off, he asked if I had won Lotto, so I had to say yes," the winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said.
On the drive to the capital he and his partner stopped halfway and re-checked the ticket in Taihape "just to be completely sure that we had right numbers".
The couple's win is big news in the small town, with its population of around 2000.
"It's been huge news in the town since the Lotto results came out on Saturday night," the man said.
"Everyone has been talking about it, and hoping it has been won by a local - which it has!"
The couple plan to take their time to think about what they want to do with the money, but have already planned to travel, buy a house and a boat.
"I love fishing and diving, so buying a new boat would be a dream come true," the winner said.
The couple would also like to give something back to Murupara.
"We do plan to do something for the town to share our good fortune," they said.
Their winning ticket was sold at Murupara Four Square. They shared the Powerball jackpot with a ticket bought in Papatoetoe in Auckland.
The lucky winners have won $11,853,233 from Powerball and $200,000 from their share of Lotto first division.
