Police fear there may be more victims and are calling on anyone who stayed at the lodge, and has suspicions something untoward may have happened, to make contact via a special 0800 number or email address.
Many of the victims are believed to have stayed in the owner's residence. The business offers backpacker accommodation, hotel units and, on occasion, longer term accommodation in the owner's home.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said police were just starting what could be a long inquiry.
"It's very important for us to speak to anybody who has stayed in the owner's residence over the last two and a half years. These victims are unlikely to know that something has happened to them, although they may have suspicions. We will deal sensitively with them and offer all appropriate support required," he said.
The number to call is 0800 SNAP01 (0800 762 701) and the email is operationsnap@police.govt.nz.
The revelations are likely to hit hard in Kaitaia, where Harris was a respected, UK-born businessman. The town is only just recovering from the scandal around former deputy school principal James Parker, who is currently serving an indefinite jail term for sexually abusing young boys.
Much of yesterday's brief court appearance was taken up by arguments over name suppression.
Defence lawyer Cathy Murray said publishing Harris' name would affect not just his employees, but also the other businesses he had dealings with.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Brocas opposed suppression, saying police wanted his name and that of the lodge published in the hope that other victims would come forward. Suppressing his name could also cause suspicion to fall on the town's other backpacker establishment, he said.
