Best known for their early-'80s new wave pop hits, particularly "I Got You," Split Enz became the first New Zealand band to achieve worldwide success after a decade of experimentation and reinvention. Although they never reached superstar status outside of Australasia, they developed a strong international cult following that continued long after their breakup.

Formed in 1972 in Auckland, the band evolved from an eclectic, theatrical art-rock outfit into one of the most inventive pop groups of their era. Their early years were marked by constant lineup changes and bold visual experimentation, but by the late 1970s, with Neil Finn joining his brother Tim, they began moving toward a more accessible sound.

Split Enz’s breakthrough came with True Colours (1980), featuring the hit “I Got You.” The album topped charts in Australia and New Zealand, went platinum in Canada, and established the band internationally. Follow-ups Corroboree (Waiata) and Time and Tide (1982) continued their run of success, spawning classics like “History Never Repeats,” “One Step Ahead,” and “Six Months in a Leaky Boat.” The band’s distinctive videos also gained heavy rotation during MTV’s early years.

After Tim Finn’s successful solo release Escapade (1983), the band’s momentum slowed. Their final studio album, See Ya Round (1984), marked the end of an era, celebrated with a farewell tour, Enz with a Bang!

Members went on to notable careers — Tim and Neil Finn formed Crowded House with Paul Hester, while Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie pursued the ENZSO symphonic projects in the 1990s. Split Enz remains a cornerstone of New Zealand music, reuniting periodically for tours, including a major 2006 run following their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.