Two win half-a-million dollars each in Lotto draw

MICHAEL BRADLEY / LOTTO

The $12 million Powerball jackpot was not won in Wednesday night's Lotto draw.

The Lotto gods have smiled on two lucky North Island players, who scooped up half-a-million dollars each. 

The winners, from Auckland and Whakatane, will be popping the champagne after winning $500,000 each during Wednesday evening's First Division draw.

​The winning numbers, drawn at 8pm, were 2, 7, 8, 25, 28 and 29 . The bonus ball was 11 and Powerball 7.

Lotto spokeswoman Emilia Mazur said the winning tickets were sold at Countdown St Johns in Auckland and Countdown Whakatane in Whakatane.

"Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should write their name on the back of the ticket and check it immediately at any Lotto outlet," she said.

The $12 millon Powerball was not struck, however, and has rolled over to Saturday night's draw, where the jackpot will be $14 million.

Earlier on Wednesday, an Auckland man scratched his way to $1 million on a scratchy  – becoming the first New Zealander to do so.