$1m winner remaining incognito

The lucky $1 million Lotto winner is a Cromwell local, but their identity remains a mystery to most residents.

Cromwell New World owner-operator Phil Ryan said he believed the winner confirmed the prize at the store on Monday afternoon.

Lotto announced on Saturday the supermarket had sold the winning first division ticket in that night's draw.

Mr Ryan would not reveal the identity of the winner, but said it was a local.

It was not someone he knew personally, he said.

"Obviously, we have to be very careful when talking about it.''

The prize was claimed quietly with "no fanfare'', he said. "They often like to keep their identity secret.''

It was exciting to sell the winning ticket, he said.

"It's good that it's going to a local.''

The supermarket sold a $500,000 winning ticket in 2010.

Cromwell resident Barbara Ballantine said she was "gutted'' she chose last week as the one week to not buy her ticket at her local supermarket.

She had bought a ticket at the Cromwell New World most weeks "for years''.

Last week, she opted for Alexandra instead.

It took a moment to remember this fact when she discovered the winning ticket was sold locally, she said.

"I saw on Facebook the winner was from Cromwell and said to my husband, 'check our ticket!' I wish the person well.''

Cromwell resident Helen Scoles said everyone around town was talking about who the winner was, but no-one seemed to know.

She confirmed no new Ferraris had been spotted on Cromwell streets yesterday.

Lotto corporate communications adviser Kirsten Robinson said the organisation spoke with someone it believed to be the winner and hoped to speak to the person again yesterday or today.

It would not reveal any information about the winner without their consent, she said.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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