One man who was instrumental in shaping Hamilton’s culinary landscape was Norm Harris. Norm’s association with pie carts began in the early sixties when he started working as an enthusiastic cook and counter hand for Alan Young’s cart in Garden Place, near the council offices. Eventually, Norm took over the cart while Alan was on holiday and later opened his own cart, Norm’s Diner, on Anglesea Street.
As time went on, Norm expanded his hospitality enterprises, including a 60 seat restaurant in Thackeray Street, which he named Norm’s 3 in 1 Diner. The Harris family lived at the back of the house while the restaurant and takeaway bar were situated on the street frontage. The larger commercial property enabled better preparation areas, and business was booming with up to 22 people working on busy Friday and Saturday nights.
But the stress of running multiple businesses took a toll on Norm’s health, and he decided to sell his enterprises and take a break. After six months of rest and recuperation, Norm commissioned the building of a new pie cart, which he parked outside David’s Emporium on Hood Street. The cart operated from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., Norm named this cart Norm’s Diner.
At Norm’s Diners, we continue to honour Norm’s legacy by serving  delicious food and family owned recipes, providing excellent hospitality to the local community based in Christchurch Canterbury.