New Zealand Government Accepts Inquiry Findings on Phillips Children

A public inquiry led by Justice Simon Moore KC found that the New Zealand Police and Oranga Tamariki failed to protect three children who were isolated by their father, Tom Phillips, for nearly four years in the Marokopa area. The report concluded that agencies underplayed the harm caused to the children and dismissed concerns from the maternal family as a parenting dispute. A critical failure occurred in May 2023 when police failed to act on a credible witness sighting, which the inquiry described as a significant missed opportunity to locate the children sooner.

The ordeal ended on September 8, 2025, when police shot and killed Phillips during a burglary in Piopio. Following the report's release, the government accepted all nine recommendations, including updated child protection protocols and a revised Missing Persons policy to address the deliberate concealment of children. Oranga Tamariki, New Zealand Police, and Health New Zealand have since updated protocols to recognize prolonged isolation as a form of harm.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Social Development Minister Louise Upston apologized for the agency failures. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers admitted the investigation lacked appropriate focus and resources. While Oranga Tamariki CEO Amanda Malu acknowledged that performance fell below expected standards, neither she nor Chambers offered their resignations. Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticized Luxon for failing to attend the initial press conference, stating that the Prime Minister had failed to show leadership.