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When Rod Duke became the boss of the Briscoe Group in 1988, it was illegal to sell most things on Sundays.
Duke was willing to test the authorities’ mettle to enforce that law.
“We thought: ‘What are the fines? How can I get prosecuted? What’s the likelihood? How do I tell people that I’m going to be open on Sundays? How do I convince my staff to work?’”
They went for it, and before long Briscoes was doing the equivalent of a month’s trading on each Sunday alone.
The Labour Government of the time, which was in the midst of sweeping economic deregulation, was not interested in punishing Duke.
“We didn’t get prosecuted. We didn’t get shut down. No. The Government of the day thought it might be best if they change the legislation, rather than prosecute me.”
NZ Herald
