The winner, Jerine, was so excited that she rang ZMFM’s afternoon show to tell them she’d won $75,000 and now wasn't able to concentrate on studying for her exam the next day. She even jokingly considered now being able to pay someone to do it, says NZ Lotteries’ Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.
“She went from talking on air to walking on air,” says Mr McLeay.
Jerine was on a break at work at New World Te Rapa, when she realised she’d won, and was sent home two hours early by her managers because she was in such a state of shock.
“I bought the ticket at work before my shift, so everyone there is excited, and all my friends are asking when I’m going to open a tab at the bar – but it’s going to stay in the bank for now,” she says.
The Crossword ticket was called “Wish Me Away”, and overseas travel is now the first item on Jerine’s wish list.
“I’m from South Africa, so I’m going to take my boyfriend, brother and dad to see the All Blacks play there during the tri-nations – so they’re being super nice to me, even offering foot massages!” she says.
There are still two top prizes left on this $5 crossword ticket – and we are still waiting for our $4.7 million Big Wednesday winner from Hamilton to come forward too.
