A couple from New Zealand kept a ticket worth $33.5 million in a sock drawer

A couple from Christchurch, who wish to remain anonymous, has become the owner of one of the largest lottery wins in New Zealand's recent history. The lucky ticket, worth NZD 33.5 million (approximately USD 21 million), was kept in a sock drawer for several days as the winners contemplated their next steps.
The woman recounted that on Wednesday evening, while busy with household chores, she decided to check her ticket against the winning numbers announced on June 28, just before going to bed. "I looked up the numbers online and started checking each line of the ticket. The winning line was right at the bottom, and the numbers just jumped out at me — every single one. At first, I couldn't breathe — I was almost gasping," she said.
She then woke her husband, who confirmed that the jackpot was indeed real. The couple decided not to claim the prize immediately, opting instead to take some time to think about their next steps. They kept the ticket in the sock drawer. "During the day, I stayed calm, but then I would come home and cry — tears of joy, of course, but it was also overwhelming," the woman added. She also mentioned, "Every time I went outside, I kept thinking, 'Oh my God, I better make sure the iron is turned off.'"
According to the couple, this win will be life-changing for them. They plan to secure their family's future and support their community in the long term.
For the Powerball draw, which exceeded NZD 33 million, around 1.4 million tickets were sold nationwide. Lucy Fullarton, head of corporate communications at Lotto NZ, stated, "We don’t have any details to share at this early stage, but there will be more to share in the coming days." It is known that the winning ticket was purchased at Fresh Choice Merivale in Christchurch. This Powerball win marks the ninth and largest of 2023, and it is also the biggest since 2021, making it the third-largest in New Zealand's lottery history.
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