The Saga of the NZ Dad on the Run: A Four-Year Manhunt

Tue Oct 21 2025 05:56:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Discover the gripping story of Tom Phillips, a New Zealand father who went missing with his three children, leading to an extensive manhunt, and the dramatic events that ultimately led to his demise.

Tom Phillips and his three children vanished twice, sparking massive search operations and a four-year manhunt. Their story took a tragic turn when Phillips was shot by police during an attempted burglary, leading to questions about his reasons for evading capture and the care of his children, now safe with authorities.

On 11 September 2021, Tom Phillips and his three children went missing for the first time. His Toyota Hilux was discovered below a tide line at a beach near his parents' home in Marokopa, New Zealand. The police launched a massive search operation across land, sea, and air.

Less than three weeks later, the family returned home, claiming they had been on a camping trip. However, on 12 December that year, they disappeared again, and aside from a few sightings and grainy CCTV footage, they remained untraceable.

This precarious journey ended tragically when police responded to a burglary report, leading to a shootout where Mr. Phillips was killed. His children were found safe in a remote campsite shortly thereafter.

Many questions linger regarding his decisions, particularly why he took his children into New Zealand's wilderness during a custody dispute. Reports indicate he received no assistance from his estranged family, yet the community wonders if someone close helped him remain hidden.

Initially, when the family returned to their home, Phillips faced charges related to wasting police resources due to the extensive search efforts costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. After his second disappearance, police didn’t try to locate him until he failed to show for a court date, leading to an arrest warrant.

As the investigation continued, multiple sightings of Phillips and his children were reported. Each time, police efforts to find them ended in frustration. In June 2024, an NZ$80,000 reward was offered for information, but no breakthroughs occurred.

Ultimately, after numerous encounters with law enforcement, Phillips was shot during a confrontation in Piopio while allegedly attempting to commit burglary. As the police overcame the situation, they found firearms and valuables on his quad bike. Fortunately, the child with him remained unharmed and assisted the police in locating his other siblings.

Today, these children are under the care of authorities, reflecting the ongoing concerns for their safety in the tumultuous journey they endured.