At Collecte, we believe the most meaningful products are those that carry a genuine connection to place, people, and purpose. We are a home to New Zealand-made design and we are passionate about supporting local makers who share our commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and local production.

That philosophy is perfectly embodied by Pekerau Hills Coffee Farm / Ikarus Coffee Roasters.

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Northland, Pekerau Hills is doing something remarkable: producing coffee that is grown, processed, and roasted in New Zealand. It is a project born from curiosity, perseverance, and a deep connection to the land.

The story begins on a family farm which over time, evolved from forest and farmland into a flourishing subtropical garden filled with rare and exotic plants. Amongst collections of Vireya rhododendrons and palms, five coffee trees were planted in 1998. At the time, they were simply part of a passion for subtropical horticulture. They grew quietly, almost unnoticed, becoming another feature within the evolving landscape.

For more than a decade, the coffee trees remained largely forgotten.

Then, in 2009, a new passion emerged.

When Rob purchased his first coffee roaster - a small 3kg Dietrich machine - he became captivated by the craft of roasting. Once the new machine was started being used, it sparked a memory of those coffee plants growing amongst the gardens. What began as an interest in roasting soon led to a much bigger question: could coffee actually be grown commercially in New Zealand?

The answer was far from straightforward.

Coffee is traditionally cultivated in tropical regions, and New Zealand sits on the very fringe of viable growing conditions. Yet with the land around him and a pioneering spirit driving him forward, Rob began experimenting. Early plantings struggled, lessons came slowly, and success was anything but guaranteed.

A pivotal moment came in 2018 during a visit to New Caledonia for a coffee festival. There, Rob met experienced growers and gained valuable knowledge about cultivation techniques. More importantly, the trip transformed a fascinating experiment into a clear purpose.

He became determined to create something that had never before been achieved commercially in New Zealand: locally grown coffee for Kiwi coffee drinkers.

The years that followed required extraordinary patience. While the roasting side of the business continued to develop, the plantation evolved slowly alongside it. Every season brought new insights into the land, the climate, and the unique challenges of growing coffee in Northland.

In 2022, the Arabica Laurina variety from Pekerau Hills Coffee Farm was released commercially for the first time. What had started with five ornamental coffee trees had become one of New Zealand's most unique agricultural and artisan food stories.

Today, Rob and his partner Marie continue to develop the plantation with the same curiosity and dedication that first inspired the project. Summers are spent exploring new processing methods. Winters provide valuable insights into how coffee plants respond to New Zealand's climate. Roasting profiles are continually refined, and every harvest presents an opportunity to learn something new.

It is this ongoing commitment to craft that makes Ikarus Coffee such a natural fit within the offering of locally made products here at Collecte.

Since relocating from Wellington to Whangārei, Collecte has continued to champion New Zealand designers, makers, and producers whose work reflects a strong sense of place and thoughtful production. The labels we represent create locally, prioritising quality materials, considered design, and enduring value over mass production.

Ikarus Coffee shares these same principles.

Rather than following conventional pathways, Rob and Marie have built something uniquely their own - an ambitious project deeply connected to Northland, rooted in the principles of local production.

From five forgotten coffee trees to New Zealand-grown coffee served with pride, Pekerau Hills Coffee Farm reminds us that some of the most extraordinary things can be created when curiosity, passion and patience come together.