Lotto secret unmasked

The Masterton family who won last night's record Big Wednesday draw was able to slip quietly into Lotto's Wellington headquarters this morning.

With five surveillance cameras covering the building's two pedestrian entrances and one underground car park - each on different streets - it is clear Lotto is serious about protecting the identities of its big winners.

Lotto spokeswoman Karen Jones earlier this morning would not confirm the family's whereabouts, stating only that Lotto had agreed to meet the family at a "not to be disclosed location".

Media were then told two senior Lotto staff had been sent to Masterton "to support the store and the prizewinners if needed". Lotto asked media to steer clear of its offices, stating that some of the 813 third-division winners would be stopping by to collect their prizes and did not want to be identified.

However, winners of the $988 third division prize would not have had to collect their winnings from the Lotteries Commission, as prizes up to and including $1000 can be collected from any Lotto retailer in the country.

Winning sisters Fiona and Siobhan slipped into Lotto headquarters through a side entrance late this morning, later revealing their identities at a one-off press conference.

Meanwhile, the family's decision to come forward surprised some Masterton residents.

Student Stephanie Burton said she wouldn't have told anyone.

"Everyone would be asking you for money. I'd be fully keeping it hush-hush."

Despite Masterton's small size, she said she was pretty sure she could manage to keep it under wraps.

"I might not even tell my family [or] just a few of them, the ones that could keep it quiet."

However, Tracey Walker said she was not at all surprised by the family's decision.

She said she had also bought a ticket from the Kuripuni Lotto Shop and had received a number of calls from friends and family telling her how much they love her.

"I think at the end of the day people tend to find out sooner or later in a small town like this."

It was "brilliant" that the family were looking to donate money to worthy causes.

- © Fairfax NZ News