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Kiwis across the country will be keeping an eye on their Lotto numbers tonight, with a whopping $45 million up for grabs in the Powerball draw.
The jackpot has been climbing steadily after no ticket struck all six numbers plus the Powerball in Saturday night’s draw. Six players from across the country shared First Division prizes of $166,667 each, while three Strike Four players won $66,667.
If a single player wins tonight, it would be one of the largest prizes ever paid out by Lotto NZ, second only to the $44.67 million won by an Auckland family in August 2024.
It comes as Lotto NZ today announced a near-record $395 million return to the community for the financial year ended 30 June 2025, the second-highest in the organisation’s history.
Lotto NZ chief executive Jason Delamore says the strong year was driven by several large Powerball jackpots, including last year’s record win.
“Lotto NZ is a Crown entity that exists to return money to the Lottery Grants Board for distribution to the community. It’s tremendously pleasing when we surpass our forecasts and are able to contribute more money than anticipated,” Delamore says.
Among the 3,152 community organisations supported were Riding for the Disabled, Ngātea Primary School, Cancer Society NZ and the Glenorchy Trails Trust.
Lotto NZ paid out $878 million in prizes and created 58 new millionaires during the year.
Delamore says Lotto NZ also completed a major technology upgrade, rolled out new store terminals nationwide, and kept operating costs 10.2 percent under budget.
For players hoping to strike it lucky tonight, ticket sales close at 7.30 pm NZDT, with the draw taking place around 8.20 pm.
