Mother of Marokopa children alleges police proceeded with Netflix documentary without consent

Friday 31 July 2026 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 31 Jul, 10:26am

In this story Netflix

Cat Christey has spoken publicly for the first time, describing her former partner Tom Phillips as a dictator. She alleges that police told her they did not require her permission to participate in a Netflix documentary regarding the case. Phillips was shot dead by police last year following his disappearance in 2021.

How they headlined it

8:25am10:26am

1. StuffFri 31 Jul, 8:25am

   Phillips children’s mother says police told her they didn’t need permission for Netflix doco (opens in new tab)

2. The Press via Waikato TimesFri 31 Jul, 8:27am

   Mother of Marokopa children speaks about ‘controlling’ Tom Phillips relationship (opens in new tab)

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

3. NZ HeraldFri 31 Jul, 10:26am

   Marokopa children’s mother describes Tom Phillips as a ‘dictator’, says she objected to Netflix doco (opens in new tab)