The numbers for the NZ Lotto draw on Wednesday 22nd May were 2, 3, 12, 14, 16 and 28, with a Bonus number of 7. The Powerball number drawn was 7.
The Aucklander bought a Powerball ticket online on a whim and had all but forgotten about it by the time he was enjoying a morning drink with some friends. After checking his results online he was stunned to learn he was the sole winner of the Powerball jackpot. "Ding, ding, ding, they all just lined up. Then I saw I had the Powerball number as well. It was incredible!" he said.
"I was buzzing with excitement on the inside, but I managed to keep it together and no-one suspected a thing," he continued. His friends were none the wiser to his newfound fortune. They returned to their desks and he snuck out to his car to call NZ Lotto and confirm his win. "When they told me I was [the winner], I was in so much shock. It's crazy to think I was just having coffee with friends and now I'm a multi-millionaire."
The lucky winner said the gravity of his win had not yet set in, but that he did have some ideas for what the money would go towards: “I want to help out friends and family and buy a house. There are also a few charities I would like to donate to as well. It feels great to be able to be in a position to help."
This is the ninth time the Powerball jackpot has been won in 2019. The first win of the year happened on the very first draw of the year – a $22.3 million jackpot was won by a single player from Taranaki on 2nd January 2019.
The Aucklander’s surprise jackpot win came from a Powerball ticket he purchased online. He was able to buy a ticket without having to leave the comfort of his home to find a licensed retailer. He was then able to check his numbers easily on the morning after the draw, without needing to visit a retailer to verify his ticket.
Playing online is a stress-free alternative to paper tickets, since there is no chance of losing or misplacing your entry. Prizes are paid straight into your online account, and you can set up ticket subscriptions to ensure you never miss a draw.