Well, all right, we poached him from Auckland but he is a good 'un.
Volts fans have known that for the past three years and now the world is wising up.
The Black Caps all-rounder created history when he became the first New Zealand player, and just the eighth in total, to score two centuries in his first two tests.
The 23-year-old whacked two sixes and 11 fours in a fine innings of 107 as the Black Caps reached 508 for seven declared.
The West Indies were 19 without loss at stumps on day two at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Neesham, who probably would not have been selected in the XI had Corey Anderson not been ruled out with a neck complaint, also shared in a 201-run partnership with BJ Watling to help the visiting side recover following a slump before lunch.
Good players grasp opportunities. Neesham was stuck behind the two Colins - Munro and de Grandhomme - in Auckland so transferred south to Otago.
He had caught the eye of former Volts coach Vaughn Johnson, and Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes knew the team was on to a winner even before he had padded up for the province.
''He played one innings against us in Oamaru about four years ago which alerted everybody to the fact he had something special,'' Dykes said.
''And I think he worked well in the environment down here. He was given some important roles and he responded.
''I think everybody would have to be surprised with someone who has scored two hundreds in their first two tests. But I am not surprised he has performed well at that level.
''He has always had natural ability and that assurity which I think is the hallmark of an outstanding cricketer.
''You can't help but get excited by someone who has scored two hundreds like he has done and scored them in such emphatic fashion. Yes, he will have his ups and downs like everybody does.
"And let's see how he deals with more moderate success. But to me, he is a confidence player and, right at the moment, he is at the top of his game.''
Neesham was focused on the task ahead and played down his achievement.
''It's very pleasing obviously,'' Neesham said.
''Individual stuff is nice but you play the game to win and that's what's most important.
''It's quite a flat wicket but there is some turn and bounce if the bowlers put the ball in the right area.
"So if we can get some early wickets tomorrow it will be interesting if we could put them under pressure.''
West Indies openers Chris Gayle (eight) and Kieran Powell (11) will resume with their team 489 runs in arrears.
Powell, though, should have been dismissed on eight when he was dropped by Peter Fulton at second slip off Tim Southee.
Neesham and Watling resurrected New Zealand's innings after the loss of three wickets for 20 runs.
First-day centurion Kane Williamson failed to pick a Sulieman Benn arm ball and was bowled without playing a shot for 113.
Ross Taylor (55) was deceived by a Shane Shillingford flighted delivery and spooned a catch to Kirk Edwards at midwicket.
Captain Brendon McCullum then fell for seven when he was caught by Gayle at first slip to leave the Black Caps on 279 for five and in danger of undoing their good work on a slow and low pitch.
Neesham and Watling guided their side through to lunch and accelerated in the middle session, scoring 129 runs in 28 overs to put New Zealand in the box seat.
The left-handed Neesham brought up his century with a cover drive for two off Jerome Taylor before he was Benn's third wicket when he got a faint edge to a delivery taken by Denesh Ramdin.
Watling was the last wicket to fall, hitting out in an effort to reach his fourth test century when he was caught in the deep off Shillingford to trigger the declaration.
Neesham joined Mohammad Azharuddin (who also scored a century in his third test), Bill Ponsford, Doug Walters, Alvin Kallicharran, Greg Blewett, Sourav Ganguly and Rohit Sharma as the only players to score hundreds in their first two tests.
- Adrian Seconi and Reuters
