The Four-Year Manhunt for a New Zealand Father: A Tragic Turn

Sun Oct 19 2025 19:01:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Tom Phillips and his three children disappeared into New Zealand's wilderness for four years, evading capture until a police shootout ended their ordeal. The details of their disappearance and tumultuous journey have captivated the nation.

The disappearance of Tom Phillips, who allegedly took his three children into the New Zealand wilderness amidst a custody dispute, sparked a four-year search. Their journey included sightings and attempts to evade law enforcement, culminating in a tragic police encounter that resulted in Phillips' death. The children have since been located and are safe, raising questions about the circumstances of their father's actions and support network during their time on the run.

On 11 September 2021, Tom Phillips and his three children went missing for the first time. His Toyota Hilux was found parked below a tide line at a beach near his parents' home in Marokopa on New Zealand's North Island. Police launched a massive search operation by land, sea, and air.

Less than three weeks later, the family returned home, with the father claiming they had been on a camping trip. However, on 12 December that year, they vanished again. Aside from a few chance sightings and grainy frames of CCTV footage, Phillips and his children had not been seen since.

That was, until early Monday morning, when police responding to a report of an attempted burglary entered into a shootout that resulted in Phillips' death, ending a four-year manhunt. Many questions about his disappearance remain, including why he took his children and whether he had help evading capture.

When Phillips returned home for the first time in 2021, he was charged with wasting police resources, as the search efforts over the unyielding landscape had cost New Zealand authorities hundreds of thousands of dollars. Police did not launch a fresh search the second time he and the children went missing.

After failing to appear at a court appearance on 12 January 2022, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Phillips returned to his home alone at night to collect supplies on 9 February that year, and he was not seen for over a year.

During his disappearance, the police believed he took his children due to a custody dispute with their mother. Mr. Phillips was known as a skilled bushman with some survival training. Locals noted his penchant for living off the grid.

In August 2023, there were numerous sightings of Phillips in the Kawhia region, including alleged robberies. CCTV footage appeared to show him attempting to break into a store alongside one of his children, both in camouflage.

On Monday morning, Phillips targeted a farm supply shop in Piopio before police apprehended him. The confrontation escalated into gunfire, leaving a police officer seriously injured and Phillips dead.

The child who was with him provided crucial information that led police to locate his other two children, who were found in a remote campsite. Their well-being has been a top concern throughout this ordeal, and they are now in the care of the authorities.

This tragic saga raises significant questions about the motivations behind Phillips' decisions and the involvement of others during his time on the run.