Tom Phillips search and inquiry

The story so far

Tom Phillips disappeared into the bush with his three children in 2021 and remained a fugitive for nearly four years.^{12 Mar 2025; 15 Sep 2025} In March 2025 police began a new search north of Marokopa, including remote settlements, though it was not prompted by a specific sighting.^{12, 13 Mar 2025} On 8 September 2025, after police were called to a burglary, Phillips was shot dead by police in the Piopio area of the King Country, and a constable was critically injured by gunfire.^{13, 17, 26 Sep 2025} His three children were found alive.^{12, 13 Sep 2025} Police then examined campsites he had used in the Waitomo bush and later released photos of the main sites.^{13 Sep 2025; 24 Oct 2025} A High Court injunction restricted publication of details of the investigation, and media organisations challenged related orders in December 2025.^{18 Sep 2025; 1 Dec 2025} Police said Stuff's publication of radio communications broke the law, but they decided not to prosecute.^{5 Nov 2025} In November 2025 the government announced a public inquiry into whether agencies took all practicable steps to protect the children.^{27, 28 Nov 2025}

Latest

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found in August 2026 that the officer was justified in shooting Phillips in self-defence, but noted shortcomings in police command and communications.^{20 Aug} In September 2026 the public inquiry reported that Phillips visited his parents' farm in February 2022 and warned his father police would not take him alive, and that education officials did not review the children's homeschooling exemptions while they were missing.

Key moments

1. 12 Mar 2025Police launch a new search north of Marokopa for Phillips and his children.
2. 12 Sep 2025Phillips' three children are found alive.
3. 13 Sep 2025Phillips is shot dead by police; a constable is critically injured.
4. 5 Nov 2025Police decide not to prosecute Stuff over publishing police radio audio.
5. 27 Nov 2025Government announces a public inquiry into the children's disappearance.
6. 1 Dec 2025Media challenge court restrictions on reporting the case in the High Court.
7. 20 AugPolice watchdog finds the fatal shooting of Phillips was justified.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.