Big $6.5m Lotto win

Levin Lucky Lotto has lived up to its name, making someone $6.5 million richer.

The new multi-millionare has yet to claim their Powerball first division prize, won in Wednesday’s Lotto draw with a ticket bought from the Oxford St store.

Store owner Dave Lyons said a lot of people bought tickets as Christmas stocking stuffers, so the winner could be from anywhere in the country.

He said it’s the biggest win a customer’s ever had from a ticket bought at the store, but it has created instant millionaires in the past - two $1m winners and a $2m winner.

Lyons said every big winner reacted differently. Some couldn’t wait to tell everybody, while others got a bit cloak and dagger.

‘‘With one of the $1m wins, that person rang me at home after the draw and came straight to the store.

‘‘We did it all with the door shut and the lights off.’’

Receiving millions of dollars overnight can be life-changing, but without some thought, it can disappear almost as fast.

Wealth management firm Tailorednz director Steven Radich said many big Lotto winners didn’t seek advice until most of their windfall was already gone.

‘‘They need to work out how much of it they can’t afford to lose. Then with the rest of it they can just have a good time and take risks.’’