Marokopa man Tom Phillips has been fatally shot by police after firing at an officer in Waikato this morning, and all three of his children are now in police custody.
In a media conference at the Hamilton Central Police Station, Deputy Police Commissioner Jill Rogers said police responded to a report of a burglary at a rural farm supply store in Piopio at 2.30am on Monday.
"Information came to police that describes two people on a quad bike, dressed in farm clothing and wearing headlamps," Rogers said.
The quad bike was then seen travelling north along the Waipuna Rd, with police spiking the quad bike at the intersection with Te Anga Rd.
"The two occupants have been on that bike, and it has come to a rest on this rural road."
The first attending officer was "confronted by gunfire at close range" and was struck in the head. They were airlifted to Waikato Hospital and would require "numerous surgeries".
A second patrol unit arrived and engaged Phillips, who died at the scene.
"The formal identification of this male is yet to take place, but we believe him to be Tom Phillips," Rogers said.
Rogers confirmed one of the missing Marokopa children was involved in this morning's incident and was now in police custody.
"The child located at the scene is being provided wraparound support and we will not be providing any other comment at this time on their location."
Missing Marokopa dad Tom Phillips killed after firing at police during burglary - watch on TVNZ+
Road closures and scene examinations were ongoing, with Te Anga Rd cordoned off for approximately 2km in each direction.
Police have deployed around 50 staff in the area, including the armed offenders squad, a special tactics team, and negotiation specialists. Additional personnel are working from Hamilton.
Phillips allegedly fired at an officer during a burglary response. (Source: 1News)
The Police Eagle helicopter is assisting with the search for the two remaining children, with about three hours of daylight left at the time of the update.
Rogers said police have long suspected Phillips had received help from supporters.
"This must come to an end now," she said, adding that police would not speculate on whether the children were armed or accompanied.
'Start of a long journey of recovery'
In an update this evening, Rogers said the remaining two children were found "safe and well" at a campsite near the Te Anga and Waipuna Rd intersection.
Officers located the children at the campsite after receiving information from the child found earlier today.
Tom Phillips' remaining two children found at a campsite - watch on TVNZ+
She said the children would undergo medical examinations, and police will "will work very closely with our partners at Oranga Tamariki to ensure that they receive all of the support that they require at this very difficult time".
In a statement, Rogers said it was "the start of a long journey of recovery" for the children.
Police confirmed the mother of the missing children had been notified.
Follow 1News' live updates here
1News footage from the scene showed a heavy police presence this morning. (Source: 1News)
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it had been a sombre day after confirmation an officer had been shot by Phillips.
"This is a constable who was out looking after his community, and what's happened is a reminder that police put themselves on the line every time, every day they put on that uniform to keep our community safe."
'Looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care'
The mother of the children Cat has released a statement via Mata with Mihingarangi.
"The events of this morning have brought up a wave of complex emotions for our whānau," she said.
"First and foremost, we are deeply relieved that for our tamariki this ordeal has come to an end. They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.
"At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today. Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way for everyone involved.
"We express our deepest aroha to the police officer who was injured in the line of duty.
"We also extend our aroha to those in the community who have been affected, and our heartfelt gratitude to the many people who have supported us over these past four years. Your compassion has sustained us.
"As a whānau, we are now attempting to work in cooperation with the relevant government agencies to support the safe return and reconnection of our tamariki. They have endured a long and difficult journey, and we ask for privacy as we help them adjust and reintegrate into a stable and loving environment."
Last month's burglary
Last month, police released CCTV footage of two masked individuals, who police believed to be Phillips and one of his children, breaking into a store in Piopio on August 27.
The pair, who travelled in and out on a quad bike, were in the area for 13 minutes, and police had considered whether the burglary signalled a potential "falling out" with those helping him, or if he was just "brazen and confident".
In November 2023, Phillips was the prime suspect in a similar break in at the store.
Phillips and his three children – Jayda, Maverick and Ember – have been missing since their father took them from Marokopa, a rural and isolated town, to an unknown location in December 2021.
Despite multiple police operations and rewards offered to find them, there was no success. They were in the middle of their fourth winter in hiding before today's update.
Police called the incident a “devastating outcome for all involved”. (Source: 1News)
The detective in charge of the hunt for Phillips, Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders, had long maintained that negotiations with the fugitive had "always been on the table”.
Phillips' disappearance in December 2021 came after he was charged with wasting police resources for a previous disappearance with the kids in September.
Since then, efforts to find the fugitive family – which included numerous searches of the area and an $80,000 reward – proved futile.
Phillips was an experienced bushman, and it was long understood that others were helping him stay off the grid for many years.
Phillips lost custody of the children and faced more charges in connection with an alleged bank robbery in Te Kūiti, which took place while he was on the run.
In October last year, Phillips and his three children were filmed walking on farmland about 3km south of Marokopa by young pig hunters. It was the last confirmed sighting of the four.
Also last month, Phillips' sister Rozzi revealed their mother Julia had written a letter to her son and his kids.
The letter was described as being "from a mother’s heart, just to her son".
"Tom – I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this," her letter said.
SHARE ME