Tom Phillips dead following police shooting and children found alive

Friday 12 September 2025 · 6 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 12 Sep 2025, 5:09pm

Tom Phillips has died after being shot by police, while his three children have been located alive. The incident follows Phillips' disappearance into the bush with the children in 2021. Legal experts are now calling for inquiries into how he maintained access to the children before the shooting.

How they headlined it

2:05pm4:28pm

1. Otago Daily TimesFri 12 Sep 2025, 2:05pm

   Many unanswered questions in Phillips shooting aftermath (opens in new tab)

2. Stuff via RNZFri 12 Sep 2025, 4:28pm

   Who decided Tom Phillips was safe enough to leave alone with his kids? (opens in new tab)

   Also on RNZ (opens in new tab)

3. Waikato Times via The PostFri 12 Sep 2025, 5:09pm

   Tom Phillips Family Court records ‘matter of public interest’, legal expert says (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab)