This past Wednesday one lucky player of the New Zealand lottery won over $36 million. The winner is unknown at this time but New Zealand (NZ) lottery officials are set to meet the big winner and have yet to say if the winner is local or not.

Karen Jones, a NZ Lotteries spokesperson commented to the NZPA that she had contacted the winner Wednesday night. The winner called a special number that was set up for the draw and stated their excitement and awareness of public interest of the big win.

The winner has to decide who to tell and how to tell them according to Jones. She commented: “They’re obviously coming to grips with their win.” Two officials have been sent to Masterson to meet with the winner.

Jones was asked if the winner was local and she commented that the winning ticket would be stored for the winner by the lottery and they would be meeting the winner at an undisclosed location. The funds for the winner will be deposited directly into the winner’s bank account instead of the fanfare of a giant check. So we may never know who the big winner is!






- 2009-06-25