The article recalls Sam Neill’s affection for Split Enz, the New Zealand band whose 1980 album True Colours made him feel a powerful sense of national pride. It presents the record as a lasting personal touchstone for the actor and as an important breakthrough for a band that went on to influence New Zealand popular music.

Neill wrote that first hearing the cassette in London made him pull over his car, describing its sound as joyful and exhilarating. True Colours reached number one in New Zealand and Australia, while its single ‘I Got You’ brought the band wider international attention; it also marked Neil Finn’s growing creative role alongside his brother Tim. Neill later became friends with the Finn brothers and continued to praise the album decades after its release.