New Zealand Lotto FAQs

All the answers to common New Zealand Lotto questions, including whether prizes are taxed and the current jackpot amount.

Question: When does the New Zealand Lotto draw take place?

Answer: The New Zealand Lotto draw takes place twice a week. Saturday draws are held at 8pm NZST and Wednesday draws take place at approximately 8.20pm NZST.

Question: What time do New Zealand Lotto ticket sales close?

Answer: Ticket sales close at 7.30pm NZST on the night of the draw and re-open shortly afterwards. If you are buying your tickets online through a lottery concierge, ticket sale cut-off times can vary, so players are advised to check with the online service they are using to ensure they do not miss out.

Question: How can I win the New Zealand Lotto?

Answer: You can win a prize by matching three main numbers, but you’ll need to match all six main numbers if you want to scoop the jackpot!

Question: I don’t live in New Zealand, can I play New Zealand Lotto?

Answer: Wherever you live in the world, you can buy New Zealand Lotto and Powerball tickets through an online lottery concierge service. They will send an agent based in New Zealand to buy your ticket, upload a scan of it to your account and inform you of any winnings.

Question: Do New Zealand Lotto prizes expire?

Answer: New Zealand Lotto prizes must be claimed within a year of the date of the winning draw, otherwise the money is used to boost the prize fund for other games.

Question: How old do you have to be to play the New Zealand Lotto?

Answer: There is no age limit on taking part in New Zealand Lotto for people buying tickets within the country, but players using an online concierge are required to be 18 or over.

Question: Will I pay tax on my New Zealand Lotto winnings?

Answer: There are no tax implications for New Zealand residents who win on New Zealand Lotto, but you may have to pay taxes in your own country if you play from overseas. It is best to check with a tax specialist as to your potential liabilities.

Question: What are my chances of landing a prize on New Zealand Lotto?

Answer: The odds of winning a New Zealand Lotto First Division prize are 1 in 3,838,380 with the odds of winning any prize standing at 1 in 30. See the New Zealand Lotto Prizes page for more information.

Question: How does the Lotto jackpot work?

Answer: The Lotto jackpot remains at NZ $1 million for every draw.

Question: When is the next New Zealand Lotto draw?

Answer: Saturday 14th December 2024.

Question: What does the New Zealand Lotto jackpot currently stand at?

Answer: The next New Zealand Lotto jackpot is NZ$1 Million.

Question: How much does it cost to buy a New Zealand Lotto ticket?

Answer: The cost is NZ$0.70 per line. However, a ticket must contain a minimum of 4 lines, therefore the cheapest ticket is NZ$2.80.