Child alerted police to firearms at campsite after father's death

Tuesday 9 September 2025 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Tue 9 Sep 2025, 3:19pm

One of Tom Phillips' children informed officers about guns at their campsite following the police shooting of their father on Monday. The three children had been missing for nearly four years. It remains unclear if the children have been reunited with their mother.

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1. Otago Daily TimesTue 9 Sep 2025, 6:00am

   Phillips' child told police of guns at campsite (opens in new tab)

2. StuffTue 9 Sep 2025, 7:34am

   Tom Phillips’ child told police there were other guns at campsite where siblings found (opens in new tab)

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

3. Waikato Times via StuffTue 9 Sep 2025, 3:19pm

   A mother hadn’t seen her kids for four years. It’s unclear if they have been reunited (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab)