Fletcher Challenge

Full stop.

Worth more than twice as much as Fletcher Challenge.

By 1987, he controlled $12 billion in assets across 300 companies globally, and roughly one in every 20 New Zealanders owned shares in his company.

Personally, his stake peaked above $200 million in 80s money, putting him right at the top of the rich list alongside the paper baron, John Spencer.

The danger with Briley is financialization, stripping out today's 20% and leaving nothing behind for tomorrow.

Act four, the paradox of the man and the capacity trap.

By the mid-80s, Briley Investments is the biggest listed company in New Zealand, more than twice the size of Fletcher Challenge.

Between 77 and 87, Briley Investments' share price rises roughly 5,000%.

Well, I thought I was doing a lot of kicking when I was back in the Waikato.

I worked for Fletcher Challenge in the steel sector, did a management sort of degree with them.

And part of that was sort of like heading around the North Island selling steel at one stage.

I'd take a bag of balls with me and I'd drop in and have a kick at Te Amuru or somewhere like that or sort of Rotorua or somewhere where I was had a meeting or so-called meeting.