New Zealand's most notorious manhunt reached a deadly climax on September 7, 2025, when fugitive father Tom Phillips was shot dead by police during an armed confrontation in the rural Waikato region. The dramatic end to one of the country's longest-running missing persons cases has left authorities desperately searching for two children who remain unaccounted for.
Phillips, 40, had evaded capture for nearly four years while living off-grid with his three children - Jayda, 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8. The confrontation occurred after police responded to reports of a burglary at a remote property near Piopio, approximately 150 kilometers southeast of Hamilton.
The Confrontation: What Happened in Piopio
Police encountered Phillips around 4:30 PM local time when they responded to a break-in report at an isolated farmhouse. According to Radio New Zealand, the situation escalated rapidly when Phillips emerged from the property carrying what appeared to be a firearm.
"The suspect immediately opened fire on our officers," said Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders during a press briefing. Tactical response teams returned fire, striking Phillips multiple times before he collapsed near a tree line behind the property.
The entire confrontation lasted approximately 15 minutes, with neighbors reporting hearing "sustained gunfire" echoing across the valley. Emergency services declared Phillips dead at the scene despite paramedic efforts to revive him.
Officer Critical After Head Shot
A police constable remains in critical condition at Waikato Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head during the exchange. The 34-year-old officer, whose identity has not been released, was airlifted to Hamilton within an hour of the shooting.
Hospital officials report the officer underwent emergency surgery and remains unconscious in the intensive care unit. "The next 48 hours will be crucial for his recovery," said Dr. Sarah Mitchell, the hospital's trauma coordinator.
The incident marks the first time a New Zealand police officer has been critically wounded in the line of duty since 2019. Commissioner Andrew Coster expressed his support for the officer's family and pledged a thorough investigation into the circumstances.
Four Years on the Run: The Phillips Family Saga
The 2021 Disappearance and Custody Battle
Phillips' descent into fugitive status began in December 2021 following a bitter custody dispute with his estranged partner, Cat Phillips. Court documents reveal mounting tensions over visitation rights and concerns about the children's welfare had been escalating for months.
The family disappeared from their Marokopa home on December 9, 2021, initially treated as a missing persons case. However, authorities quickly reclassified the situation when evidence emerged suggesting Phillips had deliberately taken the children to avoid court-mandated custody arrangements.
Cat Phillips had obtained a protection order against Tom just weeks before their disappearance, citing "increasingly erratic behavior and threats." The last confirmed sighting placed the family at a remote camping ground near Te Kuiti, approximately 200 kilometers from their home.
Living Off-Grid: Survival in New Zealand Wilderness
Intelligence gathered during the manhunt suggests Phillips possessed extensive bushcraft skills acquired during his time in the military. CNN reports that the family survived by moving between abandoned buildings, caves, and makeshift shelters across the rugged King Country terrain.
Local farmers occasionally reported glimpses of the group, describing them as "gaunt and weather-beaten." Phillips had apparently taught his children basic survival techniques, including foraging for food and avoiding populated areas.
Police believe the family sustained themselves through small-scale theft from rural properties, targeting non-perishable goods and camping supplies. Search teams discovered multiple temporary campsites containing children's clothing and homemade shelters throughout the four-year period.
Massive Search Operation Continues for Missing Children
One Child Safe, Two Still Missing
In a dramatic twist, 8-year-old Ember Phillips emerged from bushland near the shooting scene approximately three hours after her father's death. The child, described by first responders as "traumatized but physically unharmed," was immediately taken into protective custody.
However, siblings Jayda and Maverick remain missing, prompting authorities to expand their search operation across a 50-square-kilometer area. Helicopter crews equipped with thermal imaging technology have joined ground teams combing dense forest and farmland.
"Our primary concern is locating these children safely," emphasized Search and Rescue coordinator Mark Thompson. Weather conditions have complicated efforts, with heavy rain and approaching winter temperatures raising concerns about the children's survival prospects.
Community and Family Response
The Marokopa community, population 350, has rallied to support search efforts with local volunteers providing food and accommodation for emergency responders. Many residents had maintained hope throughout the manhunt that the family would eventually return safely.
Cat Phillips released a statement through her legal representative expressing "grief and relief" at the day's events. "While I mourn the father my children once knew, I pray desperately for Jayda and Maverick's safe return," the statement read.
Legal Implications and Police Investigation
Criminal Charges and Court Proceedings
Phillips faced multiple charges at the time of his death, including kidnapping, firearms offenses, and numerous counts of burglary accumulated during his time as a fugitive. Legal experts suggest the case would have resulted in significant prison time had he survived to face trial.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has launched a comprehensive review of the shooting, standard procedure when police discharge firearms. This investigation will examine whether officers followed proper protocols and had reasonable grounds to use lethal force.
Family court records sealed during the original custody proceedings may now be reviewed to determine if warning signs were missed. Child advocacy groups are calling for systematic reforms to prevent similar cases in the future.
Critical Incident Investigation Underway
Forensic teams continue processing the Piopio property where Phillips died, searching for clues about the missing children's whereabouts. Evidence collection includes digital devices, written communications, and survival equipment that might indicate planned escape routes.
Detective Inspector Saunders confirmed that Phillips had been armed with a modified hunting rifle and possessed additional ammunition. Investigators are examining how he acquired the weapon and whether accomplices assisted during his time underground.
The coroner's office has scheduled a full inquest into Phillips' death, expected to examine the four-year manhunt's impact on law enforcement resources and community safety. Preliminary findings suggest police spent approximately $2.5 million on search operations since 2021.
As darkness falls across the Waikato countryside, the search for Jayda and Maverick Phillips continues with renewed urgency. Their safe recovery remains New Zealand's highest policing priority, bringing hope that this tragic chapter might still have survivors to tell its full story.
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