The man and his two friends each spent $11 on Lotto tickets last weekend in Christchurch while getting groceries at a supermarket.
A Lotteries spokesperson, Karen Jones, says the man was still in shock when he picked up his winnings in Wellington on Tuesday.
She says the backpacker said he felt a little guilty that he had won a prize that New Zealanders normally take part in.
Ms Jones says the man had planned to pick fruit to support his holiday, but has ditched that idea and will travel around New Zealand in a little more style.
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