Two Aucklanders won $19.1m with Lotto. This is the story of what happens next
Thursday, 17 October 2019
This story was first published October 17, 2019 and it has been republished on February 25, 2020.
In October, $19.1 million appeared in two lucky New Zealanders' bank accounts.
Two people from Auckland split the massive $38m Lotto Powerball jackpot that was drawn.
Both winning tickets were sold on MyLotto, with each winner taking home $19,142,857.
It took time for the winners to come forward, so what happened and what is the process for a winner?
**READ MORE:
* Two new millionaires from massive $38m Lotto jackpot
* NZ's biggest ever Lotto Powerball wins
* Where are New Zealand's luckiest Lotto stores?
* Here's what you should do if you win big on Lotto**
CLAIMING THE PRIZE
Prize money over $1000 can be claimed in-store at any Lotto outlet. But for the big bucks like this, ticket-holders are invited to the winner's room at Lotto's head office in Newmarket, Auckland.
Celebrating there was all part of the winning experience, Robinson said.
'As well as officially claiming their prize, this gives big winners the chance to celebrate their win and receive tips, tricks and advice from Lotto NZ about adjusting to life as a Powerball winner.'
Once there, people have to hand over the winning ticket and fill in a prize claim form. They're also given a winner's book that's full of information and advice, Robinson said.
They're also asked to bring their bank account details with them so Lotto can pay them their winnings. The money is transferred into one bank account in one payment.
But while the two Aucklanders will be taking home $19.1m each, they won't be leaving with their winning ticket.
Lotto NZ is required to keep all winning tickets, however a copy of it can be supplied if requested.
Regardless of the size, all prizes must be claimed within 12 months of the draw date on the ticket or, for Instant Kiwi in-store tickets, within 12 months of the close of that game.
WHAT THE WINNER'S BOOK SAYS
Lotto has a winner's book available for people online, which gives tips, information and advice.
In it, Lotto suggests one of the first things people do is make sure their prize money is deposited into an interest-earning bank account.
You can read the book in full below.
The key advice is:
* Take your time deciding what to do next – don't make any big decisions like leaving your job or making expensive purchases until you've had a chance to work out what you really want to do with your winnings
* Think carefully about who you tell about your big win – once you tell them, you can't un-tell them.
* Get professional financial advice from a registered financial advisor. Financial advisors are experts in helping people manage their money and have lots of advice to help winners manage their unexpected windfall
* Have fun. Winning Powerball is an incredible time in a winner's life, so remember to take time to enjoy the experience.
There are also some facts about the big winners.
The majority of people said they were at their local Lotto store when they found out they'd won - 32 per cent.
While 27 per cent had checked their tickets online, and 26 per cent had watched the live Lotto draw. The book provides a list of services people can talk to for advice and support around managing money.
Once people found out they had the winning ticket in their grasp, the majority (23 per cent) said they kept it in their purse or wallet.
While 11 per cent said they kept it in a draw and 5 per cent said they kept it under their pillow.
Other unique answers included people saying they had stashed the ticket in a bible, held it all night, or kept it safe in a travel pouch around their neck.
As for who they told: 19 per cent said they just told their other half. While 31 per cent said they told their immediate family, 8 per cent told everybody, and 5 per cent told nobody.
The biggest Lotto prize in our country's history was $44m which was sold in Auckland in 2016.
This story was first published October 17, 2019 and it has been republished on February 26, 2020.