The shock of discovering they'd won $9.3 million had a Powerball winner sitting on the nearest available seat - the Lotto ticket rubbish bin, says NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

"I wasn't wearing my glasses so when the Lotto operator showed me the pay receipt, I thought it said $9,333 - when she told me that in fact I'd won First Division of $9.3 million, I had to sit down straight away and the bin where the old Lotto tickets get thrown away was closest so that's where I went," laughed the winner.

The winner and their family, who are from Christchurch claimed their $9.3 million prize today, which is made up of $9 million from Powerball First Division and $333,333 from Lotto First Division. The winning ticket was sold at Fendalton New World.

"I actually started hyperventilating a bit, I was just so shocked. It's been a hard year, and my first thoughts were for my family, and our friends who've supported us through it all.

"I haven't got any specific plans for the money yet, but there are a few ideas percolating - I'll definitely be paying off my mortgage and giving some to charity, but after that I've yet to decide," said the winner representing the family.

Fendalton New World Manager, Justin Blacker says the store was thrilled to sell the big prize - their store's first major Powerball prize - and there was a lot of interest in the win from customers and staff alike.

"There were a few staff anxiously waiting to check their tickets but sadly it wasn't any of them," said Justin.

The prize is the largest ever won in Christchurch, beating out a $7.5 million prize sold at Unichem Bishopdale Pharmacy in May 2007.