Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
A public inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children has delivered a damning assessment of government agency failures, concluding that better cooperation between Police, Oranga Tamariki, and the Ministry of Education could have prevented Tom Phillips from taking his three children into the bush a second time.
The report, presented to the Governor-General in July, found that agencies repeatedly minimised risks, missed credible sightings, and failed to recognise the harm caused by the children being isolated for nearly four years while living off-grid with their fugitive father.
Phillips first disappeared with the children in September 2021, leaving his ute below the high tide mark at Kiritehere Beach. Although he later claimed it was a spontaneous camping trip, Police believed he had staged their deaths. They also profiled him as holding anti-government views, abusing alcohol, and being motivated to avoid Family Court proceedings.
Warnings were ignored early. In February 2021, the children’s mother told Police Phillips had “at least 12 guns” hidden around the family property. Police escalated the concern, but no meaningful action followed. The inquiry described the resulting inertia as unjustified.
When Phillips vanished again in December 2021, Police adopted a “softly bring him out” strategy, assuming no immediate risk to the children. This approach led to missed opportunities, including failing to search the area where Phillips’ abandoned ute was found in January 2022 and not investigating a night-time visit he made to his parents’ farm a month later.
A highly credible sighting in May 2023 was also mishandled. A Te Anga Rd resident reported Phillips and the children stranded in a car on a forestry road. Police were diverted to another call and never visited the location. The vehicle was found nearly two years later, pushed down a bank near two of the family’s campsites.
Oranga Tamariki was criticised for closing its report of concern while the children were still missing and for assuring the Family Court the children were “completely fine,” despite warnings from Police and the maternal family. The Ministry of Education failed to review or revoke Phillips’ home-schooling exemptions after either disappearance.
The ordeal ended on 8 September 2025 when Phillips was shot dead by Police after opening fire during an interception. All three children were safely recovered.
The Government has accepted all recommendations, including stricter home-schooling rules, mandatory mental health assessments in care disputes, and strengthened interagency protocols.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston apologised directly to the children, acknowledging agencies “did not take all practical steps to protect you.”
Police and Oranga Tamariki leaders have committed to overhauling information-sharing processes.
