Someone, somewhere in NZ is sitting on a $500,000 Lotto win - and they don’t even know it.
A First Division winner from the New Year’s Day draw has left their cash prize unclaimed for nearly four months.
The $1 million jackpot was split between two lucky players, and while one winner from Auckland has already pocketed their share, the other half is still waiting to be claimed.
If you have an inkling you might be the one who is meant to collect the cash, the winning ticket was bought at Fresh Choice Pāpāmoa in the Bay of Plenty.
Lotto NZ’s corporate communications head, Will Hine, has urged anyone who bought a ticket from the Bay of Plenty store on December 27th to double check.
“The ticket could have been bought by a local or someone visiting Pāpāmoa to see in the new year," he said in a media release.
It’s a life-changing amount of money, and we want to make sure the winner claims what’s rightfully theirs sooner rather than later.
If you bought a ticket from the winning location you’re being told to write your name on the back of it and check it ASAP - either in-store, online via MyLotto, or through the app.
If, in any case, you have suspicions you’re the lucky winner and have lost or damaged your ticket, the Lotto NZ website says there is a way they might be able to help you claim your prize.
All Lotto stores have ‘Lost, Stolen or Damaged Ticket’ forms that can be filled in and sent to our claims department.
The more information you can provide, such as date and time of purchase, the better the chance that we can help.
Winners have 12 months to claim their prize, so this mystery half a millionaire-in-waiting has until January 1st 2026 to come forward.
Right, it's time to check the wallet, handbag, glove box, that random kitchen drawer… heck, even try under the couch, just in case!
