After immigrating from South Korea in the 90s, Yong Chan Lee noticed New Zealand yielded some of the most nutritionally dense and freshest produce in the world. He opened his first tax free store in 1997, aptly named Kiwi Discovery, offering manuka honey, paua, butter and cheese, and health foods for travellers going through Auckland Airport.

Kiwi Discovery Ltd now operates several retail stores and eateries and remains the longest trading retailer at Auckland Airport.

The company has received 40+ awards and nominations, including Yong’s ANZ Migrant Business Award, FAB Awards Airport ‘Food To Go’ of the Year, Auckland Airport Retailer of the Year, Auckland Airport Best Food & Beverage Retailer, TVNZ-Marketing Award, New Zealand Tourism Awards, and Westpac Manukau Supreme Business of the Year Award.