NZSAS trackers assisted police in search for fugitive Tom Phillips

Monday 10 November 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Tue 11 Nov 2025, 9:11am

The military has confirmed that elite NZSAS trackers supported police operations in the Marokopa bush to find Tom Phillips. These soldiers assisted the Special Tactics Group during three separate missions in 2024 and 2025. Phillips, who disappeared with his children in 2021, was shot by police on 8 September.

How they headlined it

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Mon 7:40pm10:29pmTue 8:04am9:11am

1. NZ HeraldMon 10 Nov 2025, 7:40pm

   Revealed: Tom Phillips was hunted in Marokopa bush by elite NZSAS trackers (opens in new tab)

2. RNZMon 10 Nov 2025, 10:29pm

   SAS forces used in search for fugitive father Tom Phillips, military confirms (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesTue 11 Nov 2025, 8:04am

   SAS forces used in search for fugitive father Tom Phillips (opens in new tab)

4. StuffTue 11 Nov 2025, 9:11am

   Armed SAS trackers assisted police three times in search for fugitive Tom Phillips (opens in new tab)