Closing summary
We’re about to close this live blog now – it’s just passed 6.15pm in New Zealand’s Waikato region. You can find our just-updated full report here, and a recap of today’s events follows. Thanks for reading.
New Zealand fugitive father Tom Phillips has been shot dead by police investigating an armed burglary, police say. He had been hiding in wilderness with his three children – now aged nine, 10 and 12 – for nearly four years following a custody dispute with their mother.
Police were alerted to the burglary about 2.30am on Monday and pursued two suspects on a quad bike before coming under fire from one of them from a high-powered rifle, authorities said. Police returned fire, killing the shooter, who they believe to be Phillips, pending formal identification.
A police officer sustained critical but survivable injuries and was undergoing the first of many surgeries at hospital, police said.
One of Phillips’ children was located at the scene, as well as multiple firearms, said police deputy commissioner Jill Rogers. The child was being given “wrap-around support” and was reportedly cooperating with police.
Hours later, authorities located Phillips’s children, two of whom were believed to be in the wilderness, amid concerns they would be alone in temperatures that were forecast to reach freezing overnight. Rogers said they were found at a local campsite, adding: “I can confirm that the children are well and uninjured, and they will be taken to a location this evening for medical checks.”
Prime minister Christopher Luxon said the morning’s events were “sad and absolutely tragic” and “this is not what anybody wanted to happen today”. Rogers said: “This has been a deeply traumatic incident this morning for those involved. It has been confronting and challenging in a small, rural, isolated location.” Waitomo mayor John Robertson said it was the worst possible outcome for the community.
The mother of the three children, known as Cat, said in a statement to Radio New Zealand that she was relieved the ordeal had come to an end but was “saddened by how events had unfolded”.
With Eva Corlett and agencies
Updated
Phillips' two missing children found – police
Police say Tom Phillips’ two missing children have been found.
New Zealand acting deputy commissioner Jill Rogers was quoted as saying:
“I can tell you with great relief this evening that soon after 4.30 today we’ve located Tom Phillips’ remaining children.”
Rogers said the two children were unharmed, New Zealand website Stuff reported, and would undergo medical assessments this evening.
Phillips’ child who was with him this morning and later taken into custody had helped police find the other two, police reportedly said.
Updated
