Lotto NZ was forced to cancel its live televised draw yesterday evening following a power failure at the broadcast studio. According to Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will Hine, the disruption was caused by a “technical issue at TVNZ.” The draw proceeded off-air using a Random Number Generator monitored by the Audit Office, a contingency process previously utilized during the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2019 SkyCity Convention Centre fire.
What caused the broadcast disruption?
The interruption began at 8:05 p.m. when host Sonia Gray informed viewers that the studio had lost power. Will Hine later confirmed the outage was a technical failure at the TVNZ facility. While the live broadcast was scrapped, the lotteries commission moved to its established backup protocol. This process involves the Audit Office overseeing the use of a Random Number Generator to ensure the integrity of the results. Hine stated that these secure processes are specifically designed for such circumstances, allowing the draw to continue despite the lack of a live televised feed.
Who are the latest First Division winners?
Despite the technical difficulties, the draw successfully produced three First Division winners. Each ticket holder is set to receive $333,333. The winning numbers were 7, 8, 13, 32, 33, and 37, with 22 as the Bonus ball and 5 as the Powerball. According to official records, the winning tickets were sold at Bayfair Lotto in Mount Maunganui, as well as via MyLotto to players in the Kāpiti Coast and Central Otago regions.
What happens next for players?
Players may experience delays in receiving confirmation of the results, as Will Hine warned that publishing official outcomes could take longer than usual due to the disruption. Those waiting on the Powerball jackpot will see the prize carry over to the next draw. Because the Powerball was not struck in this instance, the jackpot is set to rise to $7 million for the Wednesday night draw. Hine expressed gratitude toward players for their patience and understanding as the commission works through the aftermath of the studio power failure.