Tom Phillips' firearms licence revoked before second disappearance

1NewsOtago Daily TimesThe PostWaikato TimesThe PressStuffRNZThursday 11 December 2025 · 7 outlets · 3 reports · updated
Photo: 1News (opens in new tab)

Police records released under the Official Information Act show Tom Phillips' firearms licence was suspended following his 2021 disappearance. The licence was later revoked after he was deemed not a fit and proper person to hold a gun. Phillips was shot dead by police on 8 September 2025.

How they headlined it

First reported by 1News, Thu 11 Dec 2025, 6:58am · 3 reports from 3 outlets over 6 hours
  1. 1News1News via RNZ

    Tom Phillips' gun licence revoked months before second disappearance (opens in new tab)

  2. Otago Daily TimesOtago Daily Times

    Phillips not fit to hold firearms licence, police docs show (opens in new tab)

  3. The PostThe Post via RNZ

    Tom Phillips’ firearms licence revoked months before second disappearance, documents show (opens in new tab)

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