Lotto winners still aiming for the big one

Kristin Macfarlane | 14th July 2010

The Rotorua couple appeared on Saturday night's Lotto draw to spin the Winning Wheel, scooping a prize of $125,000.

Although the spin was one away from the big prize of $1m, Mrs Folley said she and her husband were happy with their prize because "it's come at a time when it is very much needed".

"What we got is just awesome," Mrs Folley said.

Mrs Folley said the couple had spent the last couple of years going without to make sure other peoples' needs were met. "We've gone short for the last two years and this has come at such a wonderful time."

The couple planned to spend the money helping family, renovating their kitchen and going on a cruise with their children and grandchildren.

Even though Mr and Mrs Folley have won big already, they're not ruling out winning Lotto again in the future.

Mrs Folley said they bought tickets every week and would continue to do so.

"If you win once, you can win again."

She didn't see Lotto as gambling because part of the money made from Lotteries was given back to charity organisations.

As part of the Winning Wheel prize package, the Folleys enjoyed a luxury stay at the Duxton Hotel in Wellington, a shopping trip with a stylist for an outfit to wear on the show, and lunch with Lotto presenter Matt Lawrey.

Mrs Folley said the couple were treated like "royalty".

All Lotto players are automatically in the draw to win the opportunity to spin Lotto's Winning Wheel.

Meanwhile, as of mid-afternoon yesterday a prize of $166,667 for a first division winning ticket sold at Taupo's Magazines and Post and a second division winning ticket worth $26,293 sold at Countdown Taupo had not been claimed.