Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd, DJ Sir-Vere, Topp Twins honoured in New Zealand Honours List

Flying Nun Records founder Roger Shepherd, hip hop pioneer DJ Sir-Vere and country music duo Topp Twins were among those honoured in New Zealand’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The highest accolade, of Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, went to crooner John Rowles, who had international hits from the ‘60s with ‘If I Only Had Time’ and ‘Cheryl Moana Marie’.

Made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit was DJ Sir-Vere aka Philip Alexander Te-Aorangi Bell.

As executive at BMG Records, he worked with DLT, Che-Fu and the Urban Pacifika label, and helped break NZ hip hop into the mainstream both in NZ and internationally.

He went on to host hip hop shows on various radio stations, helped set up the Aotearoa Hip Hop Summit and turntable competitions and is currently program director of Mai FM.

One-time record store owner Roger Shepherd set up one of the best known and influential NZ labels, Flying Nun Records, in 1981.

It quickly put NZ on the global music map, first with the Dunedin sound with The Clean, The Chills and The Verlaines and more recently with Aldous Harding, The Phoenix Foundation,  Die! Die! Die! and Garageland.

The Topp Twins (Jools and Lynda) are a folk-country activist and comedy duo who had their own TV show in New Zealand and whose frequent tours through Australia saw them build a large local following.

In all 35 New Zealanders who made contributions to music, film, television, Maori culture and literature were honoured.

Minister for arts, culture and heritage Jacinda Ardern said: “Arts and culture is an area close to my heart and I am delighted to see these awards recognise the talent and commitment of the many people who have made a huge difference in the lives of New Zealanders.”