Big win claimed . . . but is it local?

A Powerball winner who won $17.1 million with a ticket bought in Twizel for a draw more than three weeks ago has come forward to claim their prize.

‘‘Once I heard about the big win, I checked my ticket and couldn’t believe it when I saw I had all of the numbers,’’ the winner said.

‘‘I had to re-check the ticket multiple times before I was convinced that I had won – and even then I kept going back and looking at the ticket to make sure I had got it right. I just couldn’t believe it – I’m still in shock.’’

Lotto NZ spokesperson Marie Winfield said a private investigator had been engaged to try to find the winner ‘‘but the winner came forward before they managed to make too much progress’’.

Lotto NZ said the winner wanted to remain anonymous. They lived in the South Island with their family and bought their ticket from The Market Store in Twizel for the December 28 draw.

‘‘I wasn’t in a rush to claim the prize – and I needed some time to process things. It’s all been very surreal,’’ the winner said.

‘‘This is going to change our lives – what an amazing way to start the year.’’

The winner intended to pay off the mortgages of close family members, donate to charities, and travel overseas.

‘‘I’ve travelled a little, but never thought I would ever have the chance to travel more. I have so many options now, and life will be so much easier,’’ they said.

Winfield said unclaimed winnings were kept in an interest-bearing bank account, with any interest earned being added to the 100 per cent of profits that went back to the community. Winners collected the exact amount they won.