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In 1981, music fan Roger Shepherd established the Flying Nun as a way of documenting the punk, post-punk and indie bands in Christchurch and Dunedin -
Soon after Shepard telling that he was starting a record label. Roy Montgomery of The Pin Group approached him about releasing a single he planned to record. They became a key band in the local Christchurch indie music scene. -
The Clean's debut album: Tally Ho in September 1981 reached No.19 of the charts. -
Throughout the couple months, the Flying Nun, concentrated on recording bands originating from Christchurch. Out of many of these albums, the earliest included, a single EP from the Pin Group, a single from 25 cents, an all woman band and records from Bill Direen's Builders. -
While, the release of many different eps and albums, The Clean collabrated with Chris Knox and Doug Hood for the recording of Boodle Boodle Boodle. It was a seven song twelve inch EP, which managed to stay in the top 50 for a full six months.
The EP sold over 10,000 copies. -
During this time Knox and Hood both contribued in the development of the Flying Nun. Chris Knox through his art skills worked on the album arrwork and advertisements. He later started recodring both solo and as a member of the Tall Dwarfs. While Doug Hood, continued to offer managerial guidance to the label. -
Dunedin became the most associated with The Flying Nun. The word Dunedin sound was invented for the young bands who emerged. In March 1982, Knox and Hood recorded collection of young Dunedin acts calling it the the Dunedin Double. This 12 inch EP included various artists from Dunedin such as The Chills, The Stones, Sneaky Feelings and The Verlaines. -
The Chills, became the most popular act the Flying Nun, having a string of three charting singles over the following years. Their songs had been written all by the founding member: Martin Phillipps. -
In Dunedin, the Flying Nun added new rosters of bands to their records. In the mid 1980s Bands such as Double Happys and Look Blue Go Purple, became the most popular. During this time Shepard searched to find additional number of bands that specialized in organ-guitar pop of the Able Tasmans to the heavy dirge of Childrens Hour. -
In the early 1984s, the bands of the Flying Nun went on a global tour leaving from Dunedin. These bands included: The Chills, Children’s Hour, The Expendables and Doublehappys. -
The Chills headed for England in 1985, which was the first overseas touring act for the Flying Nun. The touring act allowed The Chill to become the first Flying Nun band to sign with an overseas label. They signed with UK label, Creation Records. The Label released Kaleidescope World, which was a compilation of The Chills' singles and "Dunedin Double" tracks. It sold 20,000 copies in the UK alone. The band stayed in England, for a long period where they recorded their album: Brave Words in 1987
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In 1989, The Flying Nun moved from Christchurch and to Auckland. Shepherd stated that Auckland would allow the record company to be closer to the markets and to the people, as Auckland was little closer to the world.
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Following their album Brave Words, The Chills released another album: Submarine Bells. The album reached number one in New Zealand. Further for passing over 10,000 sales it became the first New Zealand Gold Record for the Flying Nun. The album also allowed The Chills to recieve four different awards at the 1990 New Zealand Music awards. The band also signed with Slash Records for US distribution of the album. -
Shephred accepted and struck a deal between the Australian Label Mushroom records which would allow the Flying Nun to assign the significant budgements which were deemed necessary to break into large overseas markets. -
The Flying Nun continued to focus on developing their music for the international audiences. Three bands, of the Flying Nun in 1992, led a tour across three continents. These bands included: Straitjacket Fits, The Bats and JPS Experience. With all their new albums being released they travelled across Australia, North America and Europe.
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In 1994, The Headless Chickens a band signed by the Flying Nuns, scored the label a first No.1 single in 1994, called George. The song was promoted on radio and music. -
Further the Flying Nun signed additional artists in NZ including: King Loser, Loves Ugly Children and Garageland as a package called: The sound is out there. These bands traveled to Australia and London. The company was later awarded the NZ Government Export Award in 1995 through their recognition of their overseas tours. -
During the time where, Roger Shepherd was in London, he signed additional foreign artists for the Flying Nun. These included four American bands: Ween, Pell Mell, Cul de Sac and Labradford and English band: Stereolab. All these bands record releases through the Flying Nun. -
In 1996, the Flying Nun celebrated their 15th anniversary. The past and present bands of the Flying Nun, were honoured through the Sound of Dunedin exhibition that was held in Otago Early Settlers Museum. -
In 1996, the relationship between Mushroom and Flying Nun was drying out. New Zealand bands had not been selling as well in the UK and the company focused more on the brand image over the music.
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Mushroom records decided to shut Flying Nun’s London office. Sheperd, also sold his remaining stake in the label. He later focused more in dealing with wine than music.
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In 1999, Festival records decided to merge with Mushroom Records to create Festival Mushroom Records. The Flying Nun became fully owned by the larger group.