The mother of three children who vanished with their father, Tom Phillips, four years ago has spoken out after his death in a police shootout. She says the ordeal is finally over for her kids.
Mother’s First Words After Children Found
The mother of three New Zealand children, who disappeared with their father Tom Phillips in 2021, has spoken publicly for the first time after police confirmed Phillips was killed in a shootout on September 8, 2025.
Her children — Jayda (12), Maverick (10), and Ember (9) — were found safe and unharmed after nearly four years in hiding.
The Long Disappearance
September 2021: Phillips first disappeared with his three children, sparking a search. He later returned briefly and was charged with wasting police time.
December 2021: The family vanished again.
2021–2025: Multiple sightings were reported, including CCTV footage in Piopio in August 2025, showing Phillips with one of the children.
Authorities believed Phillips used his survival skills to keep the family hidden in the New Zealand wilderness.
The Deadly Shootout
On September 8, 2025, police responded to a break-in at a farm shop in Marokopa. Phillips and one child were confronted on a quad bike.
A shootout followed, leaving one officer critically injured but with survivable wounds.
Police shot and killed a man believed to be Phillips.
The child with him was unharmed and later helped officers locate the two remaining siblings at a remote bush campsite.
All three children are now in protective custody and undergoing medical checks.
Mother’s Emotional Statement
The children’s mother, Cat, expressed both relief and sorrow in her statement:
“First and foremost, we are deeply relieved that for our tamariki (children) this ordeal has come to an end. They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.
At the same time, we are saddened by how events unfolded today. Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way.”
She also shared compassion for the injured police officer, who is recovering after surgery, and thanked the community:
“Your compassion has sustained us. As a whānau, we are now working with government agencies to support the safe return and reintegration of our tamariki into a stable and loving environment. We ask for privacy as we help them adjust.”
