While Hollywood has been paying tribute to the late, great Sam Neill, the sentiment is echoed deeply within Central Otago, the region he called home between acting commitments for over three decades.

Here, Neill was cherished not as a screen star, but as a true local.

Press PLAY to hear Tamah Alley reflect on Sam Neill’s time as a Central Otago local

New Zealand’s Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley told 6PR Mornings host Simon Beaumont that Neill, who owned a local farm and vineyard, had a deep affection for the region and its community.

“[Sam] had a farm, he had a vineyard, he had his local friends and could just get on with being a regular guy, picking up his takeaways, going to the coffee shop”, she said.

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Image: Ross Land/Getty Images