The first images of the campsite where fugitive father Tom Phillips had been hiding with his three children in rural New Zealand have been released. Phillips, 47, had been on the run since December 2021 after taking his children—Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9—following an alleged dispute with their mother. He was fatally shot in a police shootout on September 8, 2025, following a suspected burglary in Piopio, a small town in Waikato on New Zealand’s upper North Island.
The Discovery of the Wilderness Camp
Police shared photographs of a makeshift wilderness camp in Waitomo, located just over a mile from where Phillips was killed. The images showed various items, including a quad bike, tyres, and cans of soda, suggesting Phillips had been hiding in the area with his children.
According to the police, the camp was found based on information provided by one of the children, who are now safe. The children were reportedly unharmed, with two being found after the shootout, while the third child was already in police custody.
Shootout Details and Investigation
The shootout occurred early on September 8, around 3:25 a.m. local time, on Te Anga Road. Police had been following Phillips after he was suspected of being involved in a burglary at a commercial property in Piopio. In an attempt to stop him, officers laid down spikes that caused Phillips’ quad bike to run over them, leading to the confrontation.
During the shootout, an officer, identified as Officer A, was injured and is currently recovering in the hospital. Phillips was fatally shot, and three firearms, including the one used by Phillips, were recovered from the scene. Investigators are continuing to process evidence from both the shooting site and the campsite.
Ongoing Investigation and Forensic Work
The police investigation is ongoing, with forensic teams working at both the camp area in Waitomo and the scene of the shooting to gather more evidence. An Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation, a Coronial enquiry, and a Critical Incident Review are all underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the shootout.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers confirmed that the body of Tom Phillips was removed from the scene, and a post-mortem will be conducted before his body is released to his family.
The Children’s Return to Their Mother
The children, who had been missing for nearly four years, are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand’s child welfare agency. Officers reported that the children were calm and cooperative when they were found, and they were offered snacks and drinks while awaiting rescue.
In an emotional statement, the children’s mother, Cat, expressed her relief, saying, “[The children] have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.”
