Concert Review - Split Enz - Wellington - 6th May 2026
Presented by Live Nation by arrangement with WME
Split Enz Perform at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton - Photo Credit Megan Moss Photographer
Review By: Bridget HerlihyArtist/Band: Split Enz with Hans PucketVenue/City: TSB Arena, Wellington, New ZealandDate of Event: Wednesday 6th May 2026Unless you have been living under a rather large rock, you will be aware that the infamous Split Enz reformed earlier this year, first for a headline slot at Christchurch's Electric Avenue festival, followed by the Forever Enz Australasian tour. Last night marked the third date of the New Zealand leg of the tour, with the first of two shows at TSB Arena in Wellington; a show that quickly sold out. So let's cut to the chase: if you have been toying with the idea of heading along to one of the remaining three New Zealand shows, take this as your sign to purchase a ticket immediately!
There are some things that are so quintessentially Kiwi that they are intricately woven into the tapestry of our national identity and our collective and personal histories. Red Band gumboots, kiwifruit, Footrot Flats, pineapple lumps, mince pies and tomato sauce… and Split Enz. Since 1972, across six decades and several generations, Split Enz have contributed to the soundtrack of our lives. They have never strayed far from our hearts and minds, as their extensive catalogue continues to resonate with both old fans and new. As a child of the ‘70s, I would listen enviously as people fondly recalled their experiences of seeing Split Enz live, hoping that one day I too would get to see our own Kiwi music legends in the flesh.
Fast-forward to 2026, and here we are. The band officially hit the halfway mark of the New Zealand leg of the tour last night in Wellington with a truly unforgettable performance that brought a joyful tear to my eye more than once.
It was evident that Split Enz fandom has been passed on from one familial generation to the next, as the eager crowd steadily filed into the arena. Some were even bold enough to dress up in their best Split Enz-inspired attire, including a couple of resplendent homages to the Second Thoughts era.
Wellington-based Hans Pucket had the enviable honour of opening the show, and they were the perfect choice. Twin brothers Oli and Callum Devlin, along with drummer Jono Knot and multi-instrumentalist Callum Passels, kept the crowd engaged and entertained throughout their 30-minute set. The four-piece indie rock band are energetic and very polished, easily charming the crowd with their charismatic banter and catchy tunes, including You Must Chill, My Brain Is A Vacant Space and No Drama. Commenting that it was an extremely fun week for the band, guitarist and vocalist Oli informed us that these were the band's biggest shows to date. And much to their credit, they had people out of their seats and dancing, with many giving the band a thoroughly deserved standing ovation at the conclusion of their set. Hans Pucket are definitely a band to watch out for.
After a brief interval, the lights in the arena began to dim as the screens behind the stage came to life. Archival footage of the band played, taking the crowd back to where it all began. The Choral Sea played as the band made their way to the stage, resplendent in their new flamboyant yet suave suits, designed by Noel Crombie. Opening with Shark Attack, the band quickly proved that they are still a musical force to be reckoned with, with no indication that it had been years since they had last toured. This was a masterclass in the power of music to transport us back to bygone eras while sounding as fresh and relevant as ever.
Over the course of almost two hours, Spilt Enz took the sold-out crowd through a journey of some of their most beloved tracks. As each song ended, the roars from the crowd got louder and louder, as more and more people got out of their seats and danced and waved their hands in the air. Without giving away too much detail about the show (for those who are yet to see it), there were too many highlights to list. Suffice to say, however, that Tim and Neil Finn, along with Eddie Rayner, Noel Crombie and newcomers Matt Eccles (drums) and James Milne (bass), were grinning from ear to hear for the entirety of the set, taking in the adoration of the crowd and having the time of their lives. From History Never Repeats to Poor Boy, Message to My Girl to Hard Act To Follow, the band's energy never wavered. Noel Crombie busted out an avant-garde guitar solo, much to the amusement of Neil Finn, and Eddie Rayner played the keys like there was no tomorrow. The visuals and lighting are also stunning in their own right, adding an additional element of magic to the experience. By the time the band busted out I Got You and I See Red, the crowd had been whipped into a frenzy. This was an example of collective joy and exuberance at its best. Rounding out the evening with an encore featuring Spellbound, I Hope I Never and Strait Old Line, the atmosphere in the arena was indeed electric.
After finally seeing them live, I have a new depth of appreciation of the sheer brilliance of Split Enz, as musicians, songwriters and performers. With a performance of this calibre, it is not at all surprising that many fans are heading to more than one show on this tour, with some following the band across the ditch for the Australian run of shows. Mark my words: this tour is not to be missed. There are three more dates to catch the band — they play in Wellington again tonight before performing on Saturday and Sunday nights at Spark Arena in Auckland.
Setlist
Shark Attack
History Never Repeats
Poor Boy
Nobody Takes Me Seriously
Give It A Whirl
Dirty Creature
Time for a Change
One Step Ahead
Message To My Girl
Double Happy
Stuff and Nonsense
One to Nine
My Mistake
Hard Act to Follow
Pioneer
Six Months In A Leaky Boat
What's the Matter with You
I Got You
I See Red
Encore
Spellbound
I Hope I Never
Strait Old Line
Split Enz
Image Credits to: Megan Moss Photographer
Artist/Band: Split Enz
Venue/City: Images -Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, New Zealand
Date of Event: Saturday, 2nd May 2026
Split Enz AUS/NZ Forever Enz Tour PR 2026