LOVE THIS PLACE

ROGER SHEPHERD on Banks Peninsula

Lyttelton Harbour and Banks Peninsula inhabit the childhood memories of Flying Nun Records founder Roger Shepherd. Even now, he loves to spend a day experiencing some of the hair-raising drives on offer.

ROGER SHEPHERD

Photo: Alistair Guthrie

"You have these memories from when you were young, but you go back and it seems just as magical now.

The classic view is when the cricket is on, with the Port Hills there looking kind of imposing. I hate it when people say you go to Christchurch and get lost. You just have to look up and see where the Port Hills are, it’s quite simple.

As a four-year-old I walked the new Lyttelton Tunnel the day before it opened. We had a wonderful time walking through the volcano, and then I had a hideous time being dragged by my teenage brother and sister over the top back home.

I’m very fond of Lyttleton. I thought it had been wiped out by the earthquakes, but it hasn’t. I think it’s largely about the community there - a lot of people made the choice to stay and rebuild it, so good on them.

There are some fantastic roads. The Summit Road - if you don’t go up there you don’t really get a view of Christchurch. When I’d just started Flying Nun I lived in Sumner, and I’d drive up the back way to Lyttleton and see how far I could go. I discovered some really good shortcuts. I recommend the Port Levy to Little River Road if you’re brave enough... I’m pretty sure some of it is a creek.

Little River I’ve always been fond of, and Port Levy, which is the one in Heavenly Creatures. Further around are Okain’s Bay and Le Bons Bay, which are like paradise. If you go further around you’re more exposed to the South and it changes.

When I was younger you could drive up some of those roads and there'd still be tree stumps from when the native forest was there. It must have been amazing, the Peninsula would have been like an island of green.

It started as an island, it was a volcano and it must have been a complete monster. It’s eroded down by probably 50 percent, and the plain came out to meet it. It must have been extraordinary, with the birdlife.

I usually try to escape and go for a blat in the car. I say I’ll just go for an hour, but really it’s the rest of the day. I love it, I’d be gladly scattered there when I’m gone. I’d love to retire there. Who wants to live in Christchurch? I’d rather live over there on Banks Peninsula."

• In 1981 Roger Shepherd launched Flying Nun Records in Christchurch. The label became a cornerstone of independent music in New Zealand, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021. The Hellzapoppin’! The Art of Flying Nun book has recently been published, in conjunction with an exhibition at Christchurch Art Gallery that ends on November 28.