$4m ticket sits in handbag for a month

A woman became $4 million richer after finally presenting the Lotto Powerball ticket she bought at a supermarket and had been carrying around in her handbag for a month.

The winning ticket, bought at Stoke New World supermarket, was worth $4m, with $3m from Powerball and $1m from Lotto first division.

The middle-aged woman and her family were shocked at learning last week of the big win, especially after she had "chucked the ticket" in her handbag with four other old tickets.

The family now plan to upgrade their house and travel. They also want to help family members.

The woman said that it was perhaps time to upgrade her "battered" old handbag.

NZ Lotteries chief executive Todd McLeay said it was unusual to have to wait that long for a winner to claim a major prize.

- © Fairfax NZ News