$8.1 million – that is how much this family from Nelson put on their Christmas stocking after winning Lotto’s first division prize 10 times last night – as well as the top Powerball prize. US lottery

It is the first time a single winner has won Powerball and that many first division prizes in one draw. Lottery results

Mr. and Ms. Smolenski who own the Richmond Night ‘n Day store that sold the winning tickets, said the lucky family came in early this morning to claim their prize.

The regular players bought 10 tickets with their usual numbers, with one of each of the 10 Powerball numbers on each ticket.

In total they won a $214,286 a share of the first division prize for each of the 10 tickets, and the $6m Powerball prize on one ticket, netting a total of $8,142,860.

Mr Smolenski said the winners were excited and scared by the huge win.

“It’s incredible, surreal … it’s a lot to deal with,” he told APNZ, “but also a great feeling to have sold the winning tickets.” ”It’s extremely exciting, unbelievable. It’s one of those things you dream about but it doesn’t happen, but then all of a sudden it does. It’s great, it’s why I’m in the job.”

Mr. Smolenski found out he had sold the winning tickets last night, right after the Lotteries Commission called.

“My night just went nuts after that, I couldn’t believe it. I had a couple of beers. I couldn’t even sleep, I got to sleep in the end but I was just lying there thinking about it, because I have so many regular customers.”

And for area, the timing could not have been better, coming the weekend before Christmas and just after the torrential rain that “absolutely smashed” the Nelson region.

“There’s stories all over the place about houses almost falling off, slips everywhere and flooding. But out of all of that we get the mother lode as far as Lotto wins go,” Mr Smolenski said.

“You couldn’t ask for a better Christmas, right? I mean the weekend before Christmas, you get $8m – I don’t know what gets better than that.”

The family has already filled out the paperwork to claim the prize, which is now on its way to the Lotteries Commission.

“And just like that, in a couple of days time, they should have it in their bank account.”

Lotto spokeswoman Karen Jones said she spoke to some very excited winners this morning.

“They found out they had won whilst watching the live Lotto draw. They recognized their numbers and became very excited while hurriedly tried to find the ticket and check it,” she said.

“They’re very excited, over the moon.”

Ms Jones said it was believed to be the first time someone had won Powerball as well as 10 first division prizes in one go.

Four other people also won a share of the first division prize from tickets bought at Countdown Manukau, Browns Bay Toyworld in Auckland, Take Note Dinsdale in Hamilton and Wainoni Pak N Save in Christchurch.

Congratulations to this Nelson family!