This report investigates the effect of an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) supported Cu-ferrite for the production of syngas and hydrogen via stepwise methane reforming and water splitting reactions. The Cu-ferrite/YSZ samples were prepared by co-precipitation and impregnation methods. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and non-isothermal hydrogen reduction. To investigate syngas and hydrogen production reactivities, isothermal methane reforming and water splitting reactions were performed at 900 degrees C and 700 degrees C, respectively. For Cu-ferrite/YSZ prepared by impregnation, methane conversion was maintained at high levels of ca. 85% and an H-2/CO ratio close to 2 was observed. A lower methane conversion (>30%) was observed for Cu-ferrite/YSZ prepared by co-precipitation. No significant deposited carbon and aggregation of Cu-ferrite/YSZ (prepared by impregnation) were observed over 10 repeated methane reforming and water splitting reactions. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.