Three-Way Split Confirmed: Record-Breaking $55 Million Powerball Jackpot Lands in Kawerau, Christchurch, and Auckland
AOTEAROA, NEW ZEALAND – The mystery is over. Lotto NZ has revealed the three lucky locations where the record-shattering $55 million Must Be Won Powerball jackpot tickets were purchased, creating three new multi-millionaires across the North and South Islands.
Each of the three winners takes home a staggering total prize of $18,388,889, comprising their equal share of the Powerball First Division prize pool ($18,333,333) plus their Lotto First Division winnings ($55,556). The draw, held on Saturday, 15 November 2025, has instantly changed the economic future of three households in a manner unprecedented in New Zealand lottery history.
The Geography of Fortune: From Bay of Plenty to Canterbury
The three winning tickets demonstrate a truly national spread of luck, connecting a small town, a major city, and the largest metropolitan area:
- Kawerau (Bay of Plenty): The winning ticket was sold at New World Kawerau. This win is expected to send ripples of excitement and potential economic benefit through the small Bay of Plenty community.
- Christchurch (Canterbury): The winning ticket was sold at Pak N Save Moorhouse. This is a significant win for Canterbury, affirming the South Island’s share of the massive jackpot.
- Auckland (Online): The third winning ticket was purchased online via the MyLotto app, registered to a player in Auckland. This highlights the growing trend of digital participation in major lotteries.
Lotto NZ Chief Executive Jason Delamore expressed his enthusiasm over the diverse spread of the winnings. “What a fantastic result! Not only is this the largest Powerball jackpot ever won, but it has been shared across our country, from a smaller community in the Bay of Plenty to the South Island’s largest city, and online in Auckland,” Delamore said.
“A win like this doesn’t just change one life; it can transform families, friends, and even entire communities. We are incredibly excited for these three winners and are ready to provide the professional support they’ll need as they navigate this life-changing experience.”
The Must Be Won Mechanics: Why It Split
The $55 million prize became the highest-ever Powerball jackpot offered in New Zealand due to the game’s “Must Be Won” (MBW) mechanism. Once the Powerball Division 1 prize pool hits the $50 million threshold, the next draw guarantees the prize will be won. Since no single ticket matched all six Lotto numbers and the correct Powerball number for Division 1, the massive jackpot was rolled down to the next division with winners—in this case, shared equally among the three tickets that matched all other criteria.
The sheer size of the jackpot, surpassing the previous maximum of $50 million (split among two winners in February 2020), drove record ticket sales, increasing the statistical likelihood of multiple winners sharing the top-tier prize. Lotto NZ had estimated around three million tickets would be sold for the draw.
Beyond the Big Three: Other Major Winners
The record-breaking draw generated substantial wins for dozens of other players across Aotearoa:
- Lotto First Division: Fifteen lucky Lotto players also celebrated, winning a substantial $55,556 share of Lotto First Division each. These tickets were sold across multiple locations, including Four Square Coopers Beach, Pak N Save Thames, Fresh Choice Ngāruawāhia, Pak N Save Napier City, and multiple MyLotto purchases across Auckland, Palmerston North, and Rangitīkei.
- Lotto Second Division: An additional sixty-two players won $16,909 with Lotto Second Division. Ten of these players also won Powerball Second Division, boosting their total winnings to over $24,916.
This mass creation of millionaires and substantial winners underscores the unparalleled excitement of a Powerball MBW draw and the significant economic stimulus injected into local communities.
Advice for the Winners
Lotto NZ has advised the three principal winners to secure their tickets and contact the organisation’s Customer Support team immediately on 0800 695 6886. The organisation provides extensive, confidential support from financial advisors and legal counsel to help winners manage the immense emotional and financial shock of sudden wealth.
Lotto NZ also took the opportunity to thank all players: “Every ticket sold contributes towards supporting Kiwi communities, as one hundred percent of our profits go back into supporting thousands of good causes across Aotearoa. This record draw means an even greater contribution to making a difference,” Delamore concluded.
