Children of a New Zealand fugitive shot dead by police after years on the run have been found safe at a remote campsite, authorities have confirmed.
Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his three kids disappeared into the wilderness in December 2021 and managed to evade investigators during extensive searches of areas they were thought to be hiding.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: New Zealand fugitive shot dead after four-year manhunt.
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Phillips was killed in a shootout with police on Monday following a burglary in Piopio, a small town in the country’s Waikato region.
An officer was shot in the head during the morning confrontation and remains in a serious condition.
As nightfall closed in and light faded, one child who was with Phillips on Monday morning was able to point police in the direction of their two siblings.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said they were found at a campsite just a few kilometres from the deadly shooting.
“I’m pleased to say they are unharmed and are now safe,” Rogers said.
Rogers said finding Ember, now aged nine, Maverick (10) and Jayda (12) had been an “emotional development”.
“To know the children are safe, and now receiving care after nearly four years, is an absolute relief,” Rogers said.
“Every person involved in this case has had the welfare of the children at heart.”
Rogers said their welfare is now the priority and “we will not be going into details about where they are now or their mental state”.
“We can say the children were found alone and the scene has been locked down and will be subject to a forensic examination that we expect will last several days.” Rogers said.
“A significant amount of work lies ahead of us, but we are grateful to see an end to what has been three years of torment for the children’s family.”
The officer who was shot has undergone surgery.
“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,” New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said.
He described Monday as a “sombre day”.
“This morning’s events are not how anyone would have wanted this to end and I know there will be many questions about it,” he said.
Phillips and his children were not thought to have travelled far from the isolated North Island rural settlement of Marokopa where they lived.
Credible sightings of them were intermittent and limited to CCTV footage that showed the fugitive allegedly committing crimes in the area.
He was wanted for an armed bank robbery while on the run in May 2023 in which he reportedly shot at a member of the public.
Police said previously the children had not had access to formal education or healthcare since their disappearance.
Law enforcement always believed Phillips had help concealing his family and some residents of the isolated rural area expressed support for him.
A reward of $NZ80,000 ($A72,000), large by New Zealand standards, and immunity from prosecution was offered for information about the family’s whereabouts in June, but it was never paid.
The children’s mother said she said she was “deeply relieved” that the “ordeal” for her children had ended.
“They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care,” the mother, who has been identified only by her first name, Cat, told Radio New Zealand in a statement.
- With AAP
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