New Zealand authorities are facing a puzzling discovery following the dramatic conclusion to a four-year search for fugitive father Tom Phillips. After Phillips was apprehended and fatally shot by police in western Waikato, shoeboxes were found on his quad bike. This event unfolded after reports of an armed robbery at a Piopio farm supply store led to the capture of Phillips, who had been evading authorities with his three children – Ember, Maverick, and Jayda.
Richard Chambers, the Police Commissioner, described the shoeboxes as an intriguing detail, hinting at Phillips’ suspected involvement in multiple burglaries. Photos taken at the campsite near the shooting location depicted the challenging living conditions the children endured, with blankets on quad bikes and limited provisions. Despite Jayda’s assistance in locating her siblings, she was not taken to the campsite by the police for safety reasons.
Multiple firearms were recovered from the campsite, leading Commissioner Chambers to question how Phillips obtained access to these weapons and whether others were involved. The investigation will also focus on determining possible modes of transportation used by Phillips and potential accomplices. Police Minister Mark Mitchell highlighted the need to prioritize the children’s well-being and ensure they receive appropriate support for recovery.
Warwick Morehu, the Oranga Tamariki regional commissioner, confirmed that the children are currently settled and receiving care and support. The children, who disappeared with Phillips from Marokopa in December 2021, were seen together for the first time on October 3, 2024, in Marokopa farmland, where they are believed to have been living in seclusion since then.