Robert Harris: a proud history

The coffee that so many New Zealanders enjoy today is the result of one man’s obsession with excellence.

Having developed a taste for freshly ground Italian coffee during service in World War Two, Robert Harris was determined to awaken tastebuds in New Zealand. He developed his knowledge of blends and roasting, and in 1972 he launched his own brand.

The next chapter in the story came about when Murray and Val Connelly took over the business after the death of Robert Harris in 1979. They introduced the Robert Harris brand into supermarkets where, to this day, it remains the number one brand of fresh coffee.

As the brand’s popularity grew, Murray and Val opened cafés in Parnell, Takapuna, Remuera and Wellington. Then in 1990, Cerebos Gregg’s bought the business, with the aim of taking it to new heights. There are now dozens of Robert Harris Cafés throughout the country, and their number is growing all the time.