Porirua East resident strikes it rich in Lotto

‘‘Porirua [East] is not known for being a wealthy area and this will make the winner’s life.’’ Eastside Four Square & Lotto owner Dipak Dubariya

Christmas came early for one Lotto player in Porirua East on December 16.

Eastside Four Square & Lotto owner Dipak Dubariya sold a winning Lotto Powerball ticket for the draw that night, netting one person an amazing $15 million.

Dubariya, who bought the store nine months ago, said the ticketholder was bound to be a local person because all his customers were from the Porirua East area. He said there was a buzz in the store the following morning and it was great news for the community.

‘‘People are smiling and talking about the win,’’ he said. ‘‘Porirua [East] is not known for being a wealthy area and this will make the winner’s life.’’

The Kapi-Mana News Facebook page lit up with the news. One person hoped it was ‘‘a grandmother with six kids, 20 grandkids and a heart of gold’’ who won the big prize.

As well as winning the first Wednesday Powerball jackpot and pocketing $15m, the lucky punter also won another $250,000 from Lotto First Division.

It is the 12th time this year the Powerball jackpot has been won, continuing the winning streak that has made 2015 the luckiest year in the history of Powerball.

The other two first division winners on December 16 were sold in Whangarei and Hamilton.