The New Zealand government has initiated a comprehensive public inquiry into the handling of a high-profile case involving a father who disappeared with his three children into the wilderness for several years before being fatally shot by police. The inquiry, announced by Attorney General Judith Collins, will scrutinize whether government agencies took all necessary steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the children, who were subjected to harsh living conditions without access to healthcare or education. Tom Phillips vanished with his children, aged 5, 7, and 8, from Marokopa in December 2021. The children were discovered at a makeshift campsite in September 2023, hours after Phillips was killed during a confrontation with police following a robbery. The incident, which left a police officer critically injured, has sparked widespread outrage and raised questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts during the family’s prolonged disappearance. The inquiry, led by prominent lawyer and former High Court judge Simon Moore, will examine the actions of officials and deliver its findings by July 2026. The case has gripped New Zealand, prompting debates about the handling of family court proceedings and the adequacy of search efforts. The inquiry will also address concerns about the secrecy surrounding the case and the potential involvement of accomplices in aiding Phillips during his years in hiding.
New Zealand launches major inquiry into case of father who hid his children in a forest for years
