WINNING SMILE: Trevor, a 34-year-old from Waikato, has claimed the third largest prize in Lotto history.

New Zealand’s newest millionaire says he'll stay working as a supermarket checkout operator, despite having $26 million in the bank.

The 34-year-old Waikato man, who only wants to be known by his first name, Trevor, always thought he'd be a millionaire by the age of 35.

Now his dream is a reality after claiming the third-largest win in Lotto history.

His prize, made up of $333,333 from Lotto First Division, and $26,264,932 million from Powerball First Division, came from a ticket purchased at Te Kauwhata Four Square Foodmarket for Saturday's draw.

He said he'd continue working “because I enjoy my job and not because I have to pay bills".

“Nothing is going to change. At the end of the day my bank balance is a phone number, but I love my job.”

He told his mum, however, that she never has to work again.

Trevor travelled to Wellington with his parents today to collect his prize.

They will be having a beer and a burger at Wellington Airport before they fly home tonight – so he can make his morning shift at the supermarket.

He said financially he lived week-by-week.

Now his life will probably never be “ordinary” again.

Trevor, who confirmed he is single, said he wasn’t in a rush to meet someone just because he now had money.

"I want to find someone for the right reasons,” he said.



“I’m the same person I was yesterday and the day before that.”

His family celebrated on Sunday with a roast, but they were too nervous and excited to drink anything, Trevor said.

"My bank account balance is now longer than my telephone number - it still doesn't feel real yet."

The store's owner, Jesal Patel, said the past couple of days had been crazy with everyone trying to find out who the winner was.

"It's so exciting for our small community, and everyone is so happy. This is the best thing that could've happened to the town - it really puts us on the map," he said.

A "happy couple" also collected their prize in Wellington today. The New Plymouth couple won just over $1 million in Lotto Strike Four. They always bought Lotto tickets and have always had one thing in mind if they ever won.

"We always get annoyed seeing those winners lose all their money, so we want to set up a business that will set up our kids for life," they said.

"We've been planning what we'd do if we won for ages, and we know a small business will secure our children's futures, and help out our family too."

The winning Lotto Strike ticket was sold at Pak 'N' Save New Plymouth.

There were two other Lotto winners, also winning a $333,333 share of Lotto First Division.

The tickets were sold at Pak 'N' Save Hastings and on Lotto online channel MyLotto by an Auckland player - neither of which have officially claimed yet.