Nearly four years after Tom Phillips disappeared with his three children, police located the siblings alive at a remote campsite. Now their mother says she still does not know when she will be reunited with them.
The mother — identified only as Cat in local reporting — spoke to RNZ’s Mata, saying she has not been given any timeline or plan for when she will see her children again: Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9. Both the New Zealand Herald and the Otago Daily Times reported the same uncertainty surrounding her situation.
Authorities confirmed this week that the children are “doing well under the circumstances,” but the discovery of the family came under tragic conditions. Their father, Tom Phillips, was fatally shot by police during an early-morning confrontation following a burglary report in the Waikato district. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said Phillips’ eldest child was present with him during the incident, while the other two siblings were later found more than 12 hours afterward at a hidden campsite about two kilometers away.
Police later shared photos of the isolated site, deep within dense bushland. The campsite was carefully concealed with camouflage netting, tarpaulins, and gas-powered equipment, all of which suggested it had been lived in for an extended period. Not far from the main site — about 200 meters away — investigators found another camp area with sleeping bags and cooking stations. Authorities also documented vehicles, including a quad bike, as well as supplies and a cache of ammunition, underscoring how long the children and their father had been surviving off-grid.
Rogers confirmed that the three children were “well and uninjured” at the time they were located and were immediately taken for medical evaluations to ensure their safety.
New Zealand’s Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki — the country’s child-welfare agency — later stated that the siblings “had a settled night” and are “doing well under the circumstances” as they begin engaging with staff assigned to support them through the transition.
In a statement shared with RNZ, their mother, Cat, expressed both relief and hope. “We are deeply relieved that for our tamariki [children] this ordeal has come to an end,” she said, adding that the family is now focused on preparing to welcome them home with love and care once the process allows.
Authorities, however, emphasized that any potential reunification must take place in accordance with Family Court directives and child-welfare protocols. Police Minister Mark Mitchell described the matter to RNZ as a “very complex situation,” stressing that the priority of agencies remains on the children’s safety, stability, and emotional recovery.
Meanwhile, investigators continue probing how Tom Phillips managed to keep the children concealed for nearly four years. Authorities are also examining whether others knowingly provided assistance during that time. Police have previously acknowledged that they believe Phillips received “outside help,” and the inquiry into possible collaborators remains ongoing.
