Editing Neil Finn (section)

==Early life==
Neil Mullane Finn was born on 27 May 1958, the youngest of four children, to Dick and Mary Finn in [[Te Awamutu]], [[New Zealand]].{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=8}}<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/neil-finn-mn0000393768/biography Neil Finn, Biography] ''[[AllMusic]]''</ref> His mother, a devout [[Catholic]] who moved to New Zealand from [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] at the age of two, maintained a religious influence over the family.{{sfn|Apter|2010|pp=9–10}} Speaking of Catholicism, Finn stated "It's a great fertile ground for pulling lyrics out. [There's] lots of good stuff going on in there, good rituals and imagery and lots of guilt. It's a very potent combination. I think you're blessed, really, to be brought up with some kind of weird dogma like that."{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=9}} His father, the son of a farmer from [[Waikato]], served in the army in [[Italy]] and became an [[accountant]] during [[World War II]].{{sfn|Apter|2010|pp=9–10}} His parents instilled an "inspiring admiration of music" in young Finn; the family would often engage in sing-alongs around the family [[piano]].{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=16}} In addition to music, Finn also enjoyed sports, particularly [[Swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[Rugby league|rugby]], [[tennis]], and [[biking]].{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=19}}

As a child, Finn would often perform at family gatherings with his older brother Tim. Finn recalled, "We'd sing all night. It was very much part of our upbringing.... That was the first inkling of the seduction of live performance."{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=22}} He idolised his brother and wished to imitate his actions, learning to play guitar and piano at the same time Tim did.{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=25}} Tim was more public about his musical aspirations, and won ten shillings in his annual talent contest at school shortly after enrolling.{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=27}} When Tim left to study at [[Sacred Heart College, Auckland|Sacred Heart College]], a boarding school in [[Auckland]], eight-year-old Neil started playing a guitar that his older brother left behind.{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=41}} A natural performer, Finn was nicknamed 'The Ant' by his family due to his determined and ambitious nature.{{sfn|Apter|2010|p=49}}

Finn attended Sacred Heart boarding school in Auckland and Te Awamutu College in Te Awamutu, Waikato. He decided to become a musician at the age of 12 and throughout his school years performed in prisons and hospitals, as well as at home gatherings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neil Finn |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0278154/bio |website=IMDb |access-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>