An Auckland couple has started their week $8.5 million richer after winning Lotto Powerball on Sunday.
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, picked up a Lotto ticket before Saturday's draw as they usually would.
They said in a statement it was when they were in bed on Sunday that they saw an email from Lotto NZ.
"[The email said] I had a prize to claim on MyLotto. I'd never received an email like that before, so immediately turned to my wife and asked her to have a look."
The man said as soon as his wife saw the email she started "buzzing".
"She kept saying 'check it, check it'. So we jumped up out of bed and raced to the living room, grabbed the laptop and pulled up MyLotto."
The man said he and his wife sat together and watched their ticket get checked.
"There was one number, then another, then another," he said.
"And before we know what was going on, every number on the line was circled."
He said when the prize amount of $8.5 million came up on the laptop screen their living room soon became a dance floor.
"We both jumped up, started hugging and dancing, with our dog jumping around our feet. He had no idea what was going on, but could tell there was something to be excited about."
The couple has officially claimed their prize and plan to tick a couple of things off their list.
"I've always dreamed of having a boat, so I might tick that one off the list. And we might go on an overseas trip, flying business class!"
The man said he and his wife will take their time to think about what they will spend their winning on.
"We want to make the most of it and really set ourselves up for the future."
The couple are the fourth winners of the Powerball first division this year.
