Lotto winners give back

A Kiwi couple who became multimillionaires overnight are giving back to charities this Christmas.

The Aucklanders won $9.2 million in May and said the best thing about winning Powerball was being able to give to those in need.

Since claiming their lucky ticket, the couple have helped charities such as Auckland City Mission and KidsCan.

On Christmas Day, they plan to give out food hampers and presents.

‘‘We believe after we have been so fortunate we should support others,’’ the man said. ‘‘People who are homeless or have nothing to eat or no clean clothes. We want to help them.’’

Fifteen Kiwis became multi-millionaires with Lotto’s Powerball this year, a statement from Lotto said.

While 39 New Zealanders also became overnight millionaires.

This year was the second biggest year of winning in Lotto NZ’s history. Just over $538 million has been won with Lotto, Powerball and Strike. This is not far behind 2017 when Kiwis won $542.8 million.

Other winners are also helping people in need this Christmas.

A woman from Auckland, who won $16.2m with Powerball in April, has donated to a number of charities including UNICEF, plans to give more this Christmas.

‘‘The money is there to make a difference,’’ she said. ‘‘The best part of winning for us was to be able give it away and truly change people’s lives.

‘‘For us, the holidays have been amazing. To have the freedom to not have to worry about annual leave and just be able to pack a bag and go anywhere in the world that you want to, we love that feeling.’’

So how are other ticket-holders spending their winnings?

A Powerball winner from Christchurch, who claimed $5.5m in February, is taking his family to Europe for the first time, and they will spend Christmas Day in London.

‘‘I can’t wait to see the joy on my family’s faces when they see London for the first time,’’ said the man. ‘‘The lights and the feeling of being there at Christmas. It is going to blow their minds.’’

Another Auckland winner, who claimed $5.3m in May, gave all of the members of their family $100,000 each following their win.

‘‘To be able to help family in that way was the best feeling in the world,’’ said the man. ‘‘They have helped us our whole lives and to be able to pay that back and share in our win was really special.’’

Their win gave them the chance to buy their first home and their extended family is coming over to celebrate on Christmas Day.

‘‘This is a year of giving for our Powerball winners,’’ Lotto’s Marie Winfield said.