A public inquiry has been announced in New Zealand to investigate how authorities handled the case of Tom Phillips, a fugitive father who hid his three children in the wilderness for nearly four years. The inquiry was ordered by Attorney General Judith Collins on Thursday, citing significant public interest and concern for the children's welfare.
Phillips disappeared with his children just before Christmas in 2021 following a custody dispute with their mother, whom he did not have legal custody. He was killed in an exchange of fire with police in August after reports of a burglary in the remote town of Piopio. A police officer was shot and required surgery.
Two of the children were found at a campsite in Waitomo later that day, and the third is believed to have been with Phillips at the time of the shooting. They are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand's child protection agency.
Justice Simon Moore KC has been appointed as the sole inquiry member. Hearings will be held in private to ensure the children's safety. The inquiry will assess whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the children's safety and welfare. A report is due by July 2026.
The rugged Waikato region, where Phillips evaded capture, includes forests, farmland, and limestone caves. Police believe he received outside help, and investigations into those who aided him are ongoing.
