The owner of a Dunedin supermarket which opened after hours to check a Powerball ticket says the winning couple are very deserving.
Three tickets, from Te Awamutu, Dunedin and Hamilton, each won a $13.3 million share of Lotto's record $40 million Powerball jackpot last night.
Julie Moyle, who owns the Fresh Choice Green Island, was at a rugby function when a friend texted asking if she could open her supermarket to check a possible winning Lotto ticket.
She and her husband met the couple outside the supermarket at 10.30pm to check the ticket.
She said it was the biggest prize they've had claimed in the store, though they didn't sell the ticket.
"I think we've had a claim of up to about $200,000 and that was huge within our community.
"We were just really really happy that we were able to do that for them, that they were able to make contact, and have it done in private, as well. I think that was really important for them. No-one knows, because the store was closed - it was just them and us"
The couple planned to spend the money on a house, cars and travel, Ms Moyle said.
