Tom Phillips search and inquiry

The story so far

A man who disappeared with his three young children in December 2021 spent nearly four years in the Waikato bush, and police said they were open to negotiating through a trusted intermediary to return the children safely. In late August, police released CCTV they believed showed him and one child breaking into a Piopio superette, and he faced charges including aggravated robbery and wounding. On 8 September, police shot the man dead after a reported burglary in the Waitomo District, and a police officer was shot in the head and seriously injured. One child was holding a rifle when police reached a remote campsite, and the children were taken into care without further incident, with all three later found alive. The case has since prompted a public inquiry, legal disputes over leaked police radio audio and suppression orders, and questions about the people who may have helped him stay hidden.^{19, 29, 30 Aug 2025; 8, 11, 12 Sep 2025; 27 Nov 2025; 1 Dec 2025} Police have also said they detected the family in transit on several occasions but could not safely intervene.^{26 Sep 2025}

Latest

The producer of a feature-length documentary about the investigation has agreed that police may preview and edit it before it airs.^{16 Dec 2025}

What's next

A public inquiry will be held in 2026, with recommendations expected in July of the following year.^{27 Nov 2025}

Key moments

1. 19 Aug 2025Family speaks publicly for the first time about children missing since 2021
2. 29 Aug 2025CCTV released of suspected burglary at Piopio superette
3. 8 Sep 2025Man shot dead by police; officer seriously injured after Waitomo-area burglary report
4. 11 Sep 2025Child holding rifle as police reached campsite; children taken into care
5. 12 Sep 2025Children located alive after man's death in police shooting
6. 5 Nov 2025Police decline to prosecute Stuff despite finding publication broke the law
7. 10 Nov 2025NZSAS trackers assisted police on three missions, military confirms
8. 27 Nov 2025Government announces public inquiry into the children's disappearance
9. 16 Dec 2025Police agree to preview and edit documentary before it airs

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