The countdown is on for what could potentially be the largest win in Lotto NZ history with tonight’s $44 million draw.
An Auckland couple are the biggest winners to date, netting $44.06m in 2016.
However, when combined with the $1 million Lotto prize, tonight’s $44m Powerball prize could take the number one spot if won by a single ticket.
If Powerball is not struck tonight, the next draw on Wednesday will be a $50m Must Be Won draw, Lotto NZ said.
If that is the case, this would be the second time in as many months that Lotto has had a Must be Won draw — something Lotto NZ estimates is a one in 100 year event.
Due to tonight’s big prize, Lotto NZ is expecting high demand and is encouraging customers to get their tickets early.
“High jackpots are always an exciting time, and we know that lots of Kiwis will be wanting to grab a ticket for Saturday’s draw,” Lotto NZ’s head of corporate communications Lucy Fullarton said.
“Stores will be busy throughout the day, and we know lots of people will be jumping online to grab their ticket in the hour before sales close at 7.30pm.
“We really want to encourage our customers to buy their ticket early and avoid the rush, both instore and online,” Fullarton said.
Lotto NZ is also reminding customers that “playing Lotto is just for fun, it’s not an investment, and to only spend what they can afford from their entertainment budget”.
“No matter how big a jackpot gets, it still only takes one ticket to be in to win.”
What if you do win big tonight?
Several previous jackpot winners spoke to Lotto NZ, giving their advice to potential winners.
The Hibiscus Coast couple who currently hold the record after the 2016 draw emphasised self-care.
“First of all, don’t have a heart attack! But seriously, my best piece of advice is to remember to eat and sleep in the first two weeks. It’s the little things like that that are easy to forget in the early days after a big win.”
Another pair, who split the $50 million Must Be Won draw in 2020, said it is important to “tell the right people”.
“Keep your circle small, but definitely share the news with someone. You will need the support of at least one other person to get you through those first weeks.
“For me, that was so important, it gave me people to talk to and bounce ideas off while I got my head around the whole thing,” said the Auckland winner.
“My advice for future winners would be to get some good advice from people you can trust, like financial advisors and lawyers,” the Hawke’s Bay winner added.
More than 280 people have won Powerball since Lotto’s commencement in 1987.
Top five Lotto NZ wins
- $44.06 million – Auckland, 2016
- $42.02 million – Waikato, 2021
- $37.12 million – Wellington, 2023
- $33.05 million – Christchurch, 2023
- $33.01 million – Auckland, 2013
