One winner scoops $42m in second-largest draw

The numbers are in New Zealand - and one lucky ticket is now worth $42 million.

A single player has scooped one of the largest prizes in NZ lotto history.

Wednesday night's numbers are: 2, 3, 4, 7, 19, 31.

The bonus ball is 8 and the Powerball is 9.

The Powerball winner purchased their ticket from the Countdown in the small town of Pokeno, Waikato. It has a population of just more than 3000.

Lotto NZ spokeswoman Kirsten Robinson said it was the second-largest prize ever won in New Zealand. 

"There’s no denying that it’s a life-changing win.”

“This year is shaping up to be a lucky one for Powerball players, with sixteen Kiwis winning big with Powerball so far this year. We can’t wait to congratulate our newest overnight multi-millionaire!”

The $42.2 million prize is made up of $42 million from Powerball First Division and $200,000 from Lotto First Division. 

Four lucky Lotto players will also be celebrating tonight after each winning $200,000 with Lotto First Division in tonight’s Lotto draw. They purchased their tickets in Whangaparaoa, Drury, New Plymouth and Christchurch.

Meanwhile, seven lucky Strike players will also be celebrating after each winning $142,857 with Strike Four.

Powerball has not been struck since $11.5 million was won on August 21.

The largest Lotto jackpot in New Zealand history saw $44 million won in November, 2016.

But thousands of Kiwis were left in the dark about their own results, as Lotto's app and website came under heavy strain.

The app had still not recovered this morning, with a notice saying it was "currently unavailable" and pointing people to the mylotto.co.nz website. But users who headed there received a message saying, "Sorry we're currently closed".

"We know you can't wait to see if you're a winner! Due to high demand, MyLotto will be opening later today, please come back later to check your ticket. Sorry for the inconvenience," the website said.

- additional reporting NZ Herald