New Zealand Powerball FAQs

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

Answer: The New Zealand Powerball is drawn after the NZ Lotto. Saturday draws take place at 8pm NZST and Wednesday draws are held at approximately 8.20pm NZST.

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

Answer: Ticket sales close at 7.30pm NZST on the night of the draw and re-open shortly afterwards for the next game.

Question: How do I win playing New Zealand Powerball?

Answer: To win on the NZ Powerball, players must match at least three numbers plus the Powerball. There are seven prize tiers in total, and to win the first division prize, players must match all six numbers and the Powerball, which will mean they will win the NZ Lotto jackpot as well as the Powerball jackpot.

Question: I don’t live in New Zealand; can I still play Powerball?

Answer: Anyone can play New Zealand Powerball by using a lottery concierge service. Simply pick your numbers and they will send an agent in the country to buy your ticket, scan it and upload it to your lottery account. It is safe and secure and you can take part in big money draws wherever you are in the world!

Question: How long do I have to claim my prize?

Answer: Any prize due from New Zealand Powerball must be claimed within 12 months of the date on the ticket or the money is returned to the prize pool.

Question: Is there an age limit for playing New Zealand Powerball?

Answer: There are no restrictions on what age you can be to play New Zealand Powerball, but you must be 18 or over to play through an online concierge service.

Question: Will I be taxed on my New Zealand Powerball winnings?

Answer: New Zealand Powerball prizes are tax-free but, if you are playing from abroad, winning may make you liable for tax in your own country. It is best to consult a financial adviser in the event of a win.

Question: What are the odds of winning the New Zealand Powerball top prize?

Answer: The odds of clinching the First Division prize are 1 in 38,383,800. To find out your chances of winning in the other divisions, visit the New Zealand Powerball Prizes page.

Question: What is the minimum guaranteed New Zealand Powerball jackpot?

Answer: The First Division prize on New Zealand Powerball begins at NZ$4 million, and will rapidly grow in value if it is not won.

Question: What is the New Zealand Powerball jackpot cap?

Answer: As soon as the First Division prize hits NZ$50 million, the next draw referred to as a ‘Must Be Won’ game where, if no one wins the jackpot, the money rolls down to be shared amongst the ticket holders in the next winning division.

Question: What is the largest New Zealand Powerball prize ever won?

Answer:Two tickets split the largest New Zealand Powerball jackpot of all time after the First Division prize reached NZ$50 million on 29 February 2020. Both of the winners came from Auckland. One had played online and the other had bought their ticket from Countdown Manukau City Mall.

Prior to that, a couple from Dairy Flat won NZ$44 million on 9th November 2016. That remains the largest prize ever won on a single New Zealand Powerball ticket to date.

Question: When is the next New Zealand Powerball draw?

Answer: Wednesday 18th December 2024.

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

Answer: The next New Zealand Powerball jackpot is NZ$4 Million.

Question: How much does it cost to add the Powerball option to a New Zealand Lotto ticket?

Answer:The Powerball option costs an extra NZ$0.80 on top of the cost of a standard Lotto ticket.