Most people know it as Chaffers New World but, whatever you call it, without doubt it’s Wellington’s most famous supermarket.
Centrally located near the harbour, the supermarket is one of the busiest in the region, with more than 60,0000 shoppers passing through each week and employing about 500 staff.
No surprise then that the store’s owners – Gary Baker and Ian Hong – have done very well for themselves.
The pair have owned and operated the supermarket since 2010 but they have both had long careers in the grocery industry.
Both Baker and Hong are reclusive and shun public attention, although Hong is active in supporting his former school and the University of Canterbury.
Hailing from a poor family in rural Malaysia, Hong came to New Zealand in the mid 1960s to seek out a better life.
He attended Cashmere High School in Christchurch in the 6th and 7th forms and was made Asian prefect in 1967 to oversee 28 students who came to the school from Southeast Asia.
Years later Hong repaid the school with what was described as a generous donation in 2009.
According to the 2010 Cashmere High School term one newsletter, Hong made his donation for three reasons. First, in memory of his late mother who sacrificed her life to provide him an education.
Second, in memory of the late Sir Terence McCombs, a former principal of Cashmere High who helped make it possible for private Asian students to study in New Zealand.
And third, an appreciation of what New Zealand and Cashmere had done for him in general.
“I owe my success to all that is New Zealand,” Hong reportedly said.
He has also contributed to the University of Canterbury, where he also studied, and has been coordinating contributions to the Emond Molloy Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Hong lives in Khandallah with his wife, Mee Leng Chong. Their daughter lives next door while a son lives in Auckland where he works in finance.
Both Hong and Baker have extensive property interests, including the Placemakers building in Kilbirnie worth $6.7 million and a Mitre 10 Mega in New Plymouth valued at $15.5m.
They also share a property at Jack’s Point, Queenstown and have various other private residential properties.