Split Enz are a New Zealand band formed in Auckland in 1972, originally under the name Split Ends. Across their first run (1972 to 1984), a long string of reunion shows (1986 to 2009) and a fresh reunion in 2026, the group has had a large cast of members. This list covers every member, with instruments and years, from the founding line-up to the six-piece that headlined Electric Avenue Festival in Christchurch.
Current Split Enz Members
| Member | Instruments | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Finn | Vocals, acoustic guitar, piano | 1972–1984, 1986–2009, 2025–present |
| Eddie Rayner | Keyboards, piano, backing vocals | 1974–1984, 1986–2009, 2025–present |
| Noel Crombie | Percussion, drums, backing vocals | 1974–1984, 1986–2009, 2025–present |
| Neil Finn | Vocals, guitar, mandolin | 1977–1984, 1986–2009, 2025–present |
| James Milne | Bass, backing vocals | 2025–present |
| Matt Eccles | Drums, backing vocals | 2025–present |
Tim Finn is the only founding member still in the band. Neil Finn, his younger brother, joined in April 1977 as the replacement for co-founder Phil Judd and grew into the co-lead singer and a key songwriter. Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie both joined in 1974 and stayed through the 1984 split and every reunion since. James Milne and Matt Eccles are the newest members, recruited for the 2026 reunion.
Former Split Enz Members
| Member | Instruments | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Judd | Vocals, guitar, mandolin | 1972–1977, briefly in early 1978 |
| Mike Chunn | Bass, piano | 1972–1977 (plus reunion appearances in 1992 and 2002) |
| Miles Golding | Violin | 1972–1973 |
| Mike Howard | Flute | 1972–1973 |
| Div Vercoe | Drums | 1973 |
| Wally Wilkinson | Lead guitar | 1973–1975 |
| Geoff Chunn | Drums | 1973–1974 (plus a reunion appearance in 2002) |
| Rob Gillies | Saxophone, trumpet | 1974, 1975–1978 |
| Emlyn Crowther | Drums | 1974–1976 |
| Malcolm Green | Drums, backing vocals | 1976–1981 |
| Nigel Griggs | Bass, backing vocals | 1977–1984, reunions 1986–2009 |
| Paul Hester | Drums, vocals | 1983–1984, reunions 1986–2002 |
How the Split Ends Line-Up Started (1972–1974)
Songwriters Tim Finn (vocals) and Phil Judd (guitar and vocals) formed the band, with Mike Chunn on bass, Miles Golding on violin and Mike Howard on flute completing the original line-up. There was no drummer and only acoustic guitars, which gave the early group a folksy, almost chamber-music sound. The first live performance was on 10 December 1972 at the Wynyard Tavern in Auckland.
Drummer Div Vercoe joined shortly afterwards, but within a few months Vercoe, Golding and Howard had all left. Finn, Judd and Chunn brought in Chunn’s brother Geoff on drums and Wally Wilkinson, who added electric guitar. In early 1974 keyboardist Eddie Rayner and saxophonist Rob Gillies joined, and around the same time the name changed to Split Enz, the “nz” standing for New Zealand.
Later in 1974 Rob Gillies and Geoff Chunn left. Emlyn Crowther replaced Chunn on drums, and Noel Crombie joined as percussionist and the band’s visual director.
Who Changed During the Mental Notes and Second Thoughts Years (1975–1977)
After the band moved to Australia and recorded Mental Notes in 1975, Wally Wilkinson departed and Rob Gillies rejoined. The group then moved to England, where Emlyn Crowther left in late 1976 and was replaced by English drummer Malcolm Green, the first member of Split Enz not born or raised in New Zealand.
The biggest turnover came in 1977, when both Phil Judd and Mike Chunn left. Neil Finn flew from New Zealand to England and joined as Judd’s replacement on 7 April 1977, while English bassist Nigel Griggs took over from Chunn. At the start of 1978 Rob Gillies left and Phil Judd briefly rejoined, but his return lasted only a few weeks, after which the band continued as a six-piece: Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, Noel Crombie, Malcolm Green and Nigel Griggs.
How the Line-Up Settled for True Colours and Beyond (1978–1984)
That six-piece recorded Frenzy (1979), True Colours (1980) and Waiata (1981). After Waiata was completed, Malcolm Green departed and the band carried on as a five-piece, with Noel Crombie moving from percussion to the drum stool for Time and Tide (1982).
After Conflicting Emotions (1983), Australian drummer Paul Hester joined and Crombie went back to percussion. In the spring of 1984 Tim Finn left for a solo career, leaving no founding members in the band. Neil Finn took over as leader and main songwriter, but the group decided See Ya ‘Round (1984) would be its last album. Tim Finn rejoined for the farewell “Enz with a Bang!” tour, and the band played its final show on 6 December 1984 at Logan Campbell Centre in Auckland.
Which Members Played the Reunions (1986–2009)
Split Enz reunited in 1986 for a Greenpeace benefit, then for a pair of concerts in Australia in 1989 and 1990. A one-off show at the Wynyard Tavern on 10 December 1992 marked the twentieth anniversary of the first gig, and a full anniversary tour followed in 1993 with the final 1984 live line-up: Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, Nigel Griggs, Paul Hester and Noel Crombie.
Some reunions brought back earlier members. Mike Chunn played bass at the 1992 show and again during the 2002 appearances, when Geoff Chunn also took part. Further shows came in December 1999, at the ARIA Hall of Fame induction in 2005, on reunion tours in 2006 and 2008, and at the Sound Relief festival on 14 March 2009.
Who Is in the 2026 Reunion Line-Up
The band headlined the Christchurch Electric Avenue Festival in February 2026, their first performance together in nearly two decades. The line-up was Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Noel Crombie and Eddie Rayner, joined by Matt Eccles on drums and James Milne on bass. The “Forever Enz” tour of New Zealand and Australia followed in May 2026, opening at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton on 2 May and closing at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on 25 May 2026.
Split Enz Members FAQ
Who founded Split Enz?
Tim Finn and Phil Judd, joined by Mike Chunn, Miles Golding and Mike Howard, in Auckland in 1972.
Which members went on to Crowded House?
Neil Finn and Paul Hester formed the Mullanes with bassist Nick Seymour, renamed Crowded House by the time of their 1986 debut. Tim Finn was a member of Crowded House from 1989 to 1991, and Eddie Rayner worked with the band as a producer and session musician.
How many drummers has Split Enz had?
Seven people have held the drum chair: Div Vercoe, Geoff Chunn, Emlyn Crowther, Malcolm Green, Noel Crombie, Paul Hester and Matt Eccles.
Who plays bass in Split Enz now?
James Milne, who joined for the 2026 reunion. Mike Chunn and Nigel Griggs were the band’s earlier bassists.
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