Heart Foundation Lottery winners

Just in time for the festive season, Rosie received the Christmas gift of a lifetime when she learned she’d won the first-prize home in Whitianga.
“I’ve been buying Heart Foundation Lottery tickets for quite some time now,” says Rosie, the first-prize winner of Lottery No. 144. “I really wanted to support a good cause, and of course, so many people are affected by heart disease so that was important to me.” 

Answering the winning phone call was a surreal experience for Rosie. She just couldn’t believe she’d won.

“I just kept saying ‘There’s no way, there’s no way,’” she laughs. “I felt like I had to keep double checking that it was true – even up to seeing the house for the first time.” 

Heading up to her brand-new property was Rosie’s first visit to idyllic Whitianga and she was charmed by the harbourside town.

Living and working in Auckland, she is now taking her time to decide how she might best enjoy her prize home.

“My son suggested that I retire down there,” she says. “I’m not sure I’m quite ready for that, and I’m in no rush to make any big decisions. I just feel so unbelievably lucky and fortunate to call it my own.”

Since winning, Rosie has been encouraging her friends and family to get involved.

“I’ve actually told lots of my friends to buy tickets,” she says. “Especially because it’s clear that real-life, normal people do win. I’ve also gifted tickets to my son because it’s a great cause and a good way to make a difference.” 

As a busy mum of two young boys, the big win of a first-prize home in Glenbrook, Auckland means Ruth can rest assured her family’s future is secure.

The winner of Lottery No. 143 is Wānaka-based Ruth, who was completely stunned when she received the phone call with the incredible news.

“The Lottery team called, and I nearly didn’t believe them,” she laughs. “I was at work at the time, and I was in a wee bit of a daze. Like, ‘Who? What? Where?’” 

Ruth has been supporting the Heart Foundation Lottery for more than 10 years. “My motivation to buy a ticket was really simple,” says Ruth. “There was a first-prize house in Wānaka and I thought it would be so awesome to win it. Plus, it meant supporting a great cause.”

Even though Ruth didn’t win that home back in 2011, she became an Auto-Buyer because she understood that her ongoing ticket order could make difference.

“It’s something that can affect anyone across the country. Young, old, whoever you are, you’ve got a heart,” she continues. “It was a ‘yes’ from me to be able to combine giving to a wonderful charity and, you know, ‘Wow! I could win a house,’ which I didn’t actually think would ever happen.” 

Ruth and her young family love their life in Wānaka, so they’ll be renting their new Glenbrook property out to some lucky, long-term occupants who can enjoy life by the beach.

“Winning a house anywhere is amazing,” she says. “Just what we’ll be able to do with that asset is incredible. I’ve got my two little boys who are in primary school now, so I’m looking to their future as well.” 

She encourages others to get involved if they can, because the potential return is nothing short of amazing. 

“If you think about it, it’s just $15 a ticket every couple of months, which for me is doable. That’s only a few less coffees, and what you could potentially get back from it is life changing.”

After supporting the Heart Foundation Lottery for 20 years, Robert could barely believe he’d won a brand-new home in Wānaka.

Imagine watching the sun set over breathtaking mountain tops from the comfort of your very own balcony. This is now a real possibility for our lucky Lottery No. 142 winner, who recently received the keys to a brand-new, fully furnished home in Wānaka.

Robert, known as Rex to his friends, is a huge supporter of the Heart Foundation and has been purchasing tickets for 20 years. As someone whose life has personally been affected by heart disease, he wanted to do his part and give back. 

“It’s a cause very close to me,” he says. “My mother had heart problems, which inspired me to start buying Lottery tickets. Then, I also had a heart episode just two years ago, and was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.”

Helping others is something that Robert is very passionate about. For many years, he has been a driver for Meals on Wheels in his community and even trains new volunteers. 

“I always just saw buying a ticket as a donation,” he explains. “I never thought I’d actually win anything. So when I got the call, I was over the moon. I just couldn’t believe it was really happening.” 

Originally from Ashburton, Robert is thrilled to have a home once again in the South Island. He moved to Auckland in his twenties, but still has plenty of loved ones in the south to spend time with. 

Since his big win, he has also been sharing the good news with his friends and encouraging others to support the Lottery. 

“I bought tickets because of what the Heart Foundation does for people through their research,” he says. “And lots of people that I tell about my prize are now going to buy tickets too, because they can see real people like me actually win!”

Dave and Jacqui were close to tears of joy when they found out they’d just won a $1.06 million home in Taupō.
 It was a typical Friday morning for Dave and Jacqui; neither of them had any idea that their lives were about to be changed.

 "I'd initially received the phone call looking for Dave and passed on his details," says Jacqui. "So I knew that the Heart Foundation wanted to talk to us, but I had   no idea what it was about."

 Dave says, "It was quite an emotional moment when I finally got the call. It almost brought a tear to my eye!"

 "We were just in complete disbelief," adds Jacqui.

Committed supporters of the Heart Foundation Lottery, Dave and Jacqui have been buying tickets for over 20 years, but they never thought they’d actually be the   lucky first-prize winners!

 "I started to buy Lottery tickets years ago because my mother had always bought charity lottery tickets in Australia," Dave tells us. "But I always saw it as a way of   supporting a good cause, I never expected to win."

Their big win came at the perfect time, so they could celebrate Matariki with their family in their brand-new home.

"One of our daughters is about to head off to Europe,” says Jacqui. “So we’re going to take advantage of the new house for some family time together before she leaves."

"Honestly, anyone can win it," Dave continues, encouraging those interested in getting involved. "Plus, it's for a good cause. The Heart Foundation are really helping people by funding research for heart disease."

Henk and Marijke were moving on from Upper Moutere and contemplating where to start their next chapter, when they received the fortuitous phone call that would change their lives.

In a twist of fate, Henk and Marijke’s decision became much easier to make when they found out they were the lucky first-prize winners of a stunning home in Mangawhai.

They started buying Heart Foundation Lottery tickets several years ago, inspired by their own family history of heart disease.

"It really goes back to my brother dying from a heart attack at just seventeen,” Henk shares. “And then, my father also died from a heart attack when he was sixty-one. I had always been very conscious of heart disease and the Heart Foundation is a cause that is dear to my heart.”

Henk and Marijke were already celebrating an incredible milestone when they received the winning phone call.

“It was crazy,” laughs Marijke. “We were celebrating our fortieth wedding anniversary. We were having breakfast together when Henk got the phone call and at first, he thought ‘this just can’t be true!’”

After realising that it was all real, they were quick to call their loved ones to tell them the amazing news.

With their daughter living nearby in Auckland, Henk and Marijke have made the decision to relocate to their brand-new Jennian home in Mangawhai.

“We’ve always lived in do-ups,” Marijke says. “So, it’s so nice to live in something new where Henk doesn’t have to do all the repairs.”

“I just can’t believe this home is going to be where we’re living from now on,” says Henk. “It even has brand-new appliances – something we’ve never had. We’re thrilled.”

As Auto-Buyers, Henk and Marijke are excited to continue to support the Heart Foundation Lottery.

“I would encourage anyone to buy a ticket,” says Henk. “It’s real people who win, from all different backgrounds and places. And it’s an affordable way to support a good cause.”

Hamilton-based Wahanui couldn’t believe his luck when he received the life-changing phone call that he’d won first prize.

Like many of our Lottery ticket holders, Wahanui and his family had personally been affected by heart disease, which inspired him to get involved.

“I lost both my mum and dad to heart attacks,” says Wahanui. “My dad was only 55. So, it was really important to me to give back to the Heart Foundation to help prevent others from losing their loved ones, and it was a bonus if I won something.”

As our first-prize winner of Lottery No. 139, he and his wife Cathy are now the proud owners of a charming four-bedroom Jennian home in popular Papamoa.

“When I got the phone call, I just yelled ‘Yes!’,” laughs Wahanui. “I tried my best to keep cool and calm after that. When I told Cathy, she couldn’t get over it – she was completely blown away.”

Only an hour and a half away from their family home, Wahanui and Cathy have decided to use their brand-new property for weekend getaways with their children and grandchildren. Plus, he will continue to support the Heart Foundation Lottery as an Auto-Buyer.

He says, “You have to be in to win it. And it’s a great cause to support.”

Boat lovers Frank and Janet were thrilled to learn they’d won a first-prize home in sunny Whitianga.

Little did Frank know that one fateful day in 2000 would lead to a life-changing win over two decades later. After being hospitalised following a severe heart attack, Frank almost lost his life to a cardiac arrest. Luckily, he was in the right place at the right time, and once he recovered, he remembers wanting to support a cause very close to his heart.

“I’ve been buying tickets since not long after my heart attack,” says Frank. “But I never expected we’d win. We were doing it to support the Heart Foundation, really!”

After almost twenty years of being an Auto-Buyer, Frank’s luck changed when he received a phone call announcing he was the first-prize winner for Lottery No. 138.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “I still can’t believe it – I’m not sure I ever will!”

His wife Janet was equally surprised. “I first thought Frank was joking,” she laughs. “He’s always making jokes like that. We never thought we’d actually win – but we did.”

As ocean enthusiasts, the happy couple were out on a sailing trip when they learned the news. With an extra stroke of luck, Whitianga, the charming harbour town, is the perfect place for them to set sail to!

“Now that we’re elderly and settled, we won’t move to Whitianga permanently,” explains Frank. “We like living in Auckland. But my son and his wife are very keen for us all to use the house as a holiday home for the summer.”

Not only do Frank and Janet encourage supporting the Lottery because of their recent win, but because they think it’s a worthy cause.

“Even though Frank’s been well for years, he’s still so thankful for the support he received,” says Janet. “And it’s satisfying to know that every Lottery ticket we buy helps make a difference.”
 

Winning the first-prize home in Lottery No. 137 was completely life-changing for Tauranga-based Judi.

“It still seems a bit surreal,” says Judi, recalling the moment she received the winning phone call. “I’ve already been down to visit the house, stayed in it, and loved every part of it.”

Like many of our Lottery supporters, Judi started buying tickets because her family had been affected by heart disease.

“My mother and two sisters have both suffered heart attacks,” says Judi. “Sadly, I lost my mum and one of my sisters. Then my other sister had her most recent attack just this year.”

It’s been over 25 years since Judi started buying her Lottery tickets. As one of our long-standing supporters, she is helping to fund life-saving research, training and education programmes that are very close to her heart.

“I’ve been supporting the Heart Foundation regularly because it’s a good cause, and you never know when you’ll need it – touch wood.”

Judi’s close-knit family mean the world to her, so when she found out she had won the brand-new Jennian home in Nelson, she decided to sell it.

“I live in Tauranga, with two sons living close by,” she says. “And my daughters live in Whakatane and Auckland. So, it’s a bit of a shame. I’d love to pick it up and move it here.”

Still, Judi’s win will allow her to buy a house in her hometown, putting her back onto the property ladder for the first time in over 20 years.

“It’s amazing,” she says. “It’s been over 24 years since my husband died, and I haven’t been a homeowner since a little before then. It’s great to have the security now that I’m older, so I don’t need to rely on renting.”

Judi encourages others to support the Heart Foundation, not just to save Kiwi lives, but to ensure they have the help they need should something happen in the future.

“Buy a ticket. None of us knows if or when we might need heart disease treatment,” she says. “We will all do better if we band together to support the Heart Foundation. Plus, you really do have a chance to win something life-changing.”
 

We never know who our lucky first prize home winners will be until the moment the winning number is randomly drawn and we make the magical phone call. Our winners have included people playing in their very first Heart Foundation Lottery, and people who have bought tickets multiple times. Then, there are people like our Lottery No. 136 winners Phil & Shirley, who have supported every Lottery since the very beginning nearly 30 years ago!

“It has always been just a contribution to a great cause in our minds,” says Shirley. “We did not expect to ever win such an amazing prize.”

Shirley suffered a heart attack herself five years ago, so understands the importance of the work funded by the proceeds of our lotteries. “I know the value of ongoing research into heart disease and how important it is to keep supporting the training of cardiologists,” adds Shirley.

The team from Jennian Homes Far North were there to hand over the keys of the stunning Kerikeri property to Shirley and Phil. Business owners, Darryn and Kirsty Fisher, New Home Consultant, Emma Young and Project Manager, Nick Hamer, are all delighted to have overseen the building of this new home and to know it now belongs to such deserving new owners.

“We just love the way the house has been decorated and furnished,” says Phil. “I don’t think it has fully sunk in that we have won a new home.  We are certainly going to continue our support. Thank you to the Heart Foundation and Jennian Homes.”

Being an Auto-Buyer, just like Phil and Shirley, means you don’t have to remember to buy tickets when each Lottery opens, and guarantees you will be in every draw. Just select the ‘In each Lottery’ option when ordering your tickets.

The important part is being in to win – just one $15 ticket gives you the chance to be the next lucky winner to meet the local Jennian team and get the keys to a brand-new home.

Living in Auckland, Dan always wondered how he’d take the big step to becoming a homeowner. Little did he know, he was about to win a first-prize, three-bedroom house in Napier!

When Dan received the winning phone call, he couldn’t believe what was happening.

“I thought it was a joke,” he laughs. “I was wracking my brain to think if I’d told any of my mates that I’d bought a ticket, in case they were pranking me.”

“I originally bought tickets in 2021 after I saw a Facebook advert,” says Dan. “I thought ‘It’s for a good cause, so I might as well and that winning something would be a bonus on the side.”

“I never actually believed I’d win the big one! But you know, you have to be in it to win it.”

As Dan’s work requires him to live in Auckland, he decided to put his new home on the market and buy in the big city instead. Nevertheless, he was blown away and incredibly grateful for what his win has allowed him to do.

“A win like this really does change your life,” says Dan. “I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to own a home, so to now be able to – I still can’t comprehend it.”

After his win, Dan encourages anyone to buy a ticket for a chance to have their lives changed, just like his. “You just can’t go wrong. Even if you don’t win, you’re supporting a great cause – so why not?”

For Prakash and his family, winning a brand-new, fully-furnished home in Cromwell was nothing short of a blessing. On Friday 6th May, Prakash was in the supermarket carpark loading his groceries into his van when he received the life-changing phone call that he was Lottery No. 134’s first-prize winner!

“I couldn’t believe what they were saying,” he says, recalling the phone call. “I was just stunned. I had to ask for the details to be sent through in writing so that I could be sure it was all real.”

An avid golfer, the home in Cromwell is perfect for him as it’s situated a stone’s throw away from the Cromwell Golf Club. In fact, Prakash loves the game of golf so much that he played eighteen holes immediately after finding out he’d won to clear his head.

“I went home and dropped my groceries off, and I didn’t tell my wife at first,” says Prakash. “I still needed to process what had just happened. So, I called a friend and grabbed my golf clubs.”

When he returned from his game and told his wife, she didn’t believe him. And neither did his solicitor!

“Both of them thought I was being pranked,” he laughs. “So, I had to show them the confirmation email to make them believe it was real.”

Winning a brand-new, fully-furnished home in Cromwell was especially sweet for Prakash and his family, as it comes after some extremely difficult and sad times for them. The family tragically lost their 28-year-old son too soon to cancer and lost their family property in Fiji. “So, winning this property is extra special.”

“This win has brought some smiles to us after a long time,” says Prakash. “And we are overjoyed."

“I bought the Lottery tickets to support this great cause with no expectations of winning. I know that heart disease is New Zealand’s biggest killer and a huge problem in our community, including my own family, so I deeply admire and appreciate the work of the Heart Foundation.”

“I feel extremely grateful and thank my lucky stars for winning the first prize in Lottery No. 134. And I’m so thankful to the Heart Foundation and Jennian Homes – thank you for the opportunity to play a small role in your cause.”
 

Natasha and her husband couldn’t believe they were receiving the call that would change their family’s life forever.

After learning that her ticket number had been drawn as the first-prize winner for Lottery No. 133, Natasha was completely blown away.

“It’s just absolutely surreal,” she says. “Words cannot really describe it.”

She and her husband were at home when she received the winning phone call.

“I just stood there in shock,” Natasha recalls. “I couldn’t even speak. My husband thought it was a call with bad news! And I said, ‘No, I’ve won a house!’”

She and her family are very excited to visit their brand-new, fully-furnished home in Greytown, Wairarapa. With plenty of activities to enjoy in the area, Natasha plans to keep the home as a holiday house and share it with her loved ones.

“Our family overseas that know about it are very excited to come over and stay!” she laughs.

Natasha had started buying Lottery tickets after visiting a Jennian show home.

“I remember a friend’s uncle won a Lottery house years ago when I was in my twenties,” she shares. “So, when I saw the brochure at the Jennian show home, I thought we absolutely needed to buy tickets.”

“The Heart Foundation is a great cause to support, and you have a chance to win an amazing prize – it’s really win-win.”

For Shannon and her young family, winning the first-prize, fully-furnished home in Whitianga was a dream come true.

Shannon has always wanted to move her young family to Whitianga. In June 2020, she decided to take a chance in Lottery No. 124, the last time the first-prize Jennian home was located in her ideal hometown, and signed up to be an Auto-Buyer.

Little did she know that taking this chance would help make her dream come true only two years later!

“I was just so overwhelmed, and so excited,” says Shannon, remembering when she received the phone call that would change her life. “It still hasn’t sunk in.”

Being the lucky, first-prize winner of Lottery No. 132 means a brand-new start for Shannon and her children.

“I’ve always wanted to live in Whitianga,” she shares. “It was my dream. I never thought I’d win – I’ve never won anything in my life!”

A new family home wasn’t Shannon’s only reason for supporting the Heart Foundation. With a history of heart disease and rheumatic fever in her family, heart health is a cause she can get behind wholeheartedly.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank the Heart Foundation so much,” she says. “This is a life-changing experience and there’s hope for anyone to win. I want everyone to get a ticket – it is possible to win and it’s for a good cause even if you don’t!”

“I’m going to continue as an Auto-Buyer because the Heart Foundation is such a great cause to support.”

An avid supporter of the Heart Foundation Lottery, our kind-hearted winner was in complete shock to receive the life-changing call that he’d won our first-prize home.

The lucky first-prize winner of Lottery No. 131 couldn’t believe he had won a fully-furnished Jennian Home in Blenheim. In fact, he had to ask twice – just to make sure it was true!

“Even now it still seems like a dream,” he says. “It was an unexpected prize. I am sure like many other people, I see the tickets as a donation and have little expectation of winning.”

He understands just how crucial prevention and education are to keep heart disease at bay in our communities.

“Sometimes simple changes towards healthy eating and exercise can make a big difference,” he says. “And donations to the Heart Foundation are for a very worthy cause. I would encourage people to give what they can.”

Even though he was very excited for his win, the Taumarunui resident decided to put his new home on the market for a lucky buyer to enjoy so he could stay close to his friends and family.

“I am very grateful to the Heart Foundation,” he continues, “for giving me an opportunity to help myself financially and to help others in need.”

After her grandson was born with a heart condition, Barbara took a chance on the Heart Foundation Lottery and won the home of her dreams.

Like many Lottery supporters, Barbara has a family member who has been affected by a life-threatening heart condition. So, when she saw a chance to support Heart Foundation, she was more than happy to sign up as an Auto-Buyer.

“My grandson was born with a heart condition,” says Barbara, “and that’s why I wanted to support the Heart Foundation.”

Little did she know, but her decision would change her life.

“I was very surprised to receive a video call saying ‘You have won first prize’,” she says. “‘You have a won a brand new fully furnished home.’”

Barbara and her friend were elated to learn that Barbara had just won a beautiful brand-new home in Papamoa Beach. Her friend even began to jump up and down with excitement.

“I couldn’t believe it,” shares Barbara. “I have been pinching myself lots of times, and I’m still pinching myself to accept this is my new reality!”

And she was more than ready to jump head first into her fresh start.

“Within two weeks of receiving this wonderful news, I was given the keys and shown around my amazing new home. I chose to stay on and retire here. The people here have been so friendly and welcoming.”

Barbara couldn’t be more grateful, for both the work Heart Foundation does to help people like her grandson and for the next chapter of her life. “A very, very special thank you to the Heart Foundation and Jennian Tauranga for creating this lovely new home that is now my reality.”

As classic car enthusiasts, Trish and Lloyd know all about the rewards of perseverance. And as long-term Heart Foundation Lottery supporters, their patience recently paid off handsomely.

“We were at home when the phone rang.” Lloyd says, “It was the Heart Foundation and when they asked if we were sitting down, I guessed we’d won something.” But little did the couple know they’d won the first-prize Jennian home in Taupo.

“A new house in Taupo! It’s still sinking in.” Trish says. “We have family near Taupo so we’re going to keep it as a holiday home.”

Trish and Lloyd are looking forward to visiting their new property. “We got the keys last Friday.” Lloyd says, “so we’ll be heading down to have a look around.”

While the week may have gone by in a blur, for Trish and Lloyd it’s been a long time coming. “We’ve been Lottery buyers for years.” Trish laughs. “Many, many, many years in fact.”

“We’ve always supported the Heart Foundation because of the work and research they do.” Lloyd says. I guess you could say they ‘restore’ people’s lives, so if you’re a ticket buyer, keep it up - it’s a great cause.”

Emil Tui was at work when his phone rang. In fact, Emil was working out at work.

"We all do team exercises every morning,'' he explains. It could have been a day like any other at Marley NZ, where Emil has worked for 35 years. But this would turn out to be a day he would never forget.

"When they told me we'd won a brand new home in Waipu, my first reaction was, 'You've got to be kidding me!'" Emil laughs. "By now the other guys had all stopped and were staring at me!"

Emil's next call was to his wife, Johanne. "I recall there was a bit of screaming on the other end of the phone," he laughs. "It's funny, because just the day before we’d received the mailer for the Taupo Lottery and Johanne said, 'I wonder who's won the Waipu house?' We never would have guessed it would be us!"

For Emil and Johanne the timing couldn’t have been better. "I'm a couple of years away from retiring," he explains. "But now, we’ve decided to sell our home in Manurewa and go live in Waipu, for a couple of years at least. Our daughter and her husband are building in Maraetai, so eventually we might move closer to the family, but we'll keep the Waipu home as well."

Good luck seems to follow Emil around. "The last thing I won was a Ford Laser, way back in the '80s," he says. "It's amazing how life can change with a phone call in just a few seconds."

A long time Lottery supporter, Emil plans to keep buying tickets. "It really doesn't matter if you win because the money is going to a good cause," he says. "We went up and stayed at our new house at Queen's Birthday weekend and the neighbours all came over and introduced themselves. Some of them are Lottery buyers and we all agreed how important it is to support the Heart Foundation’s work."

Peter Port is not the type to get rattled easily. After a distinguished career in the New Zealand Air Force and RAF, the Masterton man with the charming manners and hearty laugh is ready for anything. So when the Heart Foundation called and asked if he was sitting down, Peter naturally took it in his stride. 

"I thought maybe I'd won a trip." Peter recalls. But when he learned that he'd just won the grand prize of a new home in Cromwell, even Peter was blindsided. "I've never won anything in a lottery, let alone a house!" he laughs. "I really did have to sit down for a minute!"

A veteran supporter of the Heart Foundation Lottery, Peter bought his first ticket back in 1997. "It's such an important service and I'm happy to lend my support," he explains. 

Peter and Carol plan to sell their new home. "Cromwell is lovely," Peter says, "but we're settled in Masterton and I'm sure someone will love living there."