The BYO Revolution

Restaurateur Russell Burrell, remembers the thrill of setting up his own restaurant on Dunedin's main street.

Still there today, 'The Huntsman' was one of the first of its kind to provide a good hearty steak and smorgasbord salad - for under $3.

Punters were encouraged to pop across to a liquor store to buy their wine, but it was before the days of legal BYO, and regular police raids became part of the scene.

Russell, who had previously served members of Parliament and the Chief of Police at a Wellington eatery, gathered a wide variety of customers and supporters in a determined effort to change the liquor laws of the day.