The first Kiwi Discovery store opened its doors at Auckland International Airport in November 1997.  It was the first (and remains the only) souvenir shop to specialise in New Zealand-made fine food such as paua, bluff oysters, salmon, crayfish, mussels, dairy products, beef and salmon jerky, honey, chocolates, jams and health foods.  The store was relocated and expanded in 2005 to 120sqm.

Sushi Bar Hayama was established in December 2000, following nearly two years of negotiations to break through the catering monopoly at the 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 of the domestic terminal at the Auckland International Airport.

The third operation, Merino Discovery enabled a broader market base for Kiwi Discovery Limited: Now located airside of the Airport, it appeals to Asian, European and American travellers.  It was the first souvenir shop to specialise in New Zealand-made merino fashion and accessories, and opened its doors in June 2003 on landside.  Owing to the sucess of the Merino Discovery landside store, the second Merino Discovery opened in December 2005 on Airside next to Kiwi Discovery.  The landside store is now located Kiwi Discovery (Landside).

Today Kiwi Discovery Limited is a force to be reckoned with, taking New Zealand produce to the world and providing more than 50 staff with a rewarding work environment that is full of opportunity.