Lotto’s ultra-lucky year — 21 new millionaires in as many weeks

It’s officially the year of the rat, but 2020 also has a case for being the year of the Lotto draw — there has been one millionaire for every week of the year.

That’s right, 21 winners in 21 weeks. There have been 16 overnight millionaires with Lotto and Strike, with a further five multimillionaires with Powerball.

New Zealand’s biggest Powerball jackpot was struck on February 29, going to two mothers. And while both wanted to set up their futures, they were keen to indulge in a few treats too.

“I will definitely be buying a house, that’s the first thing on my list. I would also like a new car,” said one of the mothers, from Hawke’s Bay.

“There’ll be some travel in the future as well as some other fun stuff, but for now my priority is making sure I have a good plan in place for me and my family.”

May has been the luckiest month of the year so far, with six millionaires made already — and there are two draws left this month.

The month started off with success after an Auckland couple pocketed $1 million with Lotto First Division.

A Hamilton couple became the latest Powerball multimillionaires after scoring $10.3m almost a fortnight ago. The man had lost his job during the lockdown.

Less than a month before, a couple from Manawatu¯ bagged $13.2m with Powerball.

A Wellington woman won $1m this month, and a Te Puke couple also won $1m with Lotto First Division.