Auckland hasn’t seen a Powerball winner since Christmas Day 2024, but that could change with Saturday’s $10 million Must Be Won draw.

In the eight months since, winners have popped up in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, leaving Aucklanders empty-handed.

Lotto NZ says this is the longest spell without a local win in at least six years.

“With around a third of Aotearoa’s population living in Auckland, it’s quite an anomaly not to see any Powerball winners from the region this year,” said Will Hine, Lotto NZ’s Head of Corporate Communications.

The North Island has still fared better overall with eight of this year’s 14 wins, compared with six for the South.

And it hasn’t been all bad news in Auckland, with nine locals becoming millionaires in 2025 through Lotto and Strike.

For Hibiscus Coast players, the Must Be Won draw adds extra interest.

If no one wins First Division Powerball, the jackpot rolls down to the next division and is shared out.

Either way, someone will walk away with millions.

Lotto NZ is also preparing for a technology upgrade on 29 September, which will see new in-store terminals and changes to online limits.

Stores and MyLotto will be offline overnight from Sunday 28 September until later on Monday 29 September.

With queues expected, Lotto NZ recommends buying tickets early on Saturday, ahead of sales closing at 7.30pm.

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