About Us

Kiwi Discovery Limited consists of retail operations that centre on the consumer encounter with New Zealand-made products.

The business was founded in 1997 by Korean expatriate Yong Chan Lee.

Kiwi Discovery, with 23 major awards to its name, is now recognised as one of the most successful operators in the New Zealand tourism industry. Its contribution to New Zealand is immense. The business has a highly specific marketing approach, and has leveraged long-lasting relationships with industry partners to create growth and progression.

History

The first Kiwi Discovery store opened its doors at Auckland International Airport in November 1997. It was the first (and remains the only) travel retailer to specialise in New Zealand-made fine foods such as paua, salmon, mussels, dairy products, beef jerky, honey, chocolates, jams and health foods. The store was relocated and expanded in 2005 to 120sqm. In November last year, it successfully relocated its airside shop to the new retail area under the Auckland Airport Redevelopment project.

Sushi Bar Hayama was established in December 2000, following nearly two years of negotiations to break through the catering monopoly at the Auckland Airport. Most Auckland hotels do not cater for Japanese tastes at breakfast time, and Sushi Bar Hayama quickly became popular with tour operators, frequently servicing hundreds of customers prior to Japan-bound morning flights. Hayama upgraded its airport site to bigger premises just one year later.

The second Hayama opened in December 2006 at the new food court in the domestic terminal at Auckland Airport. In December 2010, Hayama opened its first kiosk on the airside in the newly developed food court area. The landside restaurant is currently being refurbished to incorporate a joint Southeast Asian eatery, Silk Road.

The third operation, Merino Discovery, enabled a broader market base for Kiwi Discovery Limited: It was the first souvenir shop at Auckland Airport to specialise in New Zealand-made merino fashion and accessories, opening its doors in June 2003 on the landside of the international terminal. Owing to the success of the Merino Discovery landside store, the second Merino Discovery opened airside in December 2005 next to the existing Kiwi Discovery. The landside store is now located within the landside Kiwi Discovery.

Today Kiwi Discovery Limited is a force to be reckoned with, taking New Zealand products to the world and providing more than 70 staff with a rewarding work environment that is full of opportunities.

Vision & Mission Statement

At Kiwi Discovery, we live by our Vision and Mission.

Our Vision:
Maintain leadership position in our niche market.

Our Mission:
Total commitment to quality, excellence & service.

Quality
Producing and sourcing the best products and ingredients available in New Zealand.

Excellence
Hiring top performers and continuously motivate them to be their best.

Service
Consistently delivering outstanding customer service.

Affiliated Store

Kiwi Discovery has been selling Icebreaker products since 1998. It has consistently been our top seller. Hence in November 2010, we have opened a standalone Icebreaker Touch Lab at the Auckland Airport, after security control on the airside, making it the first tax free Icebreaker shop. Therefore we can now carry up to 90% of the current range of merino active wear from every new season.