Mother of Phillips' children condemns documentary on ordeal

The mother of Tom Phillips' children has voiced strong opposition to the production of a documentary about the disappearance of Phillips and the couple's three children.

Tom Phillips was fatally shot by police after they were called to reports of a burglary in the early hours of Monday morning. Phillips had been evading police since December 2021 with his three children – Jayda, Maverick, and Ember.

A police officer was shot in the head and shoulder, and remained in a "serious but stable" condition in Waikato Hospital.

One child was uninjured at the scene of the shooting, while the remaining two were found more than 12 hours later in a remote campsite in dense bush.

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A documentary crew had been following the disappearance of the Phillips family for most the year and gained exclusive access to the police operation.

The mother of Jayda, Maverick and Ember told RNZ's Mata Reports that she did not support or consent to the documentary's production.

"We are aware of a documentary being produced about the ordeal my children have endured for nearly four years.

"When informed of this project by the police, I made it absolutely clear that I do not support, endorse, or consent to its production."

She said the whānau were "navigating an experience few could ever imagine".

"Each day brings uncertainty, and our only wish is to move forward with privacy, healing, and dignity. We again wish to state unequivocally: we do not support, nor do we consent to, this documentary."

New Zealand Police Media & Communications executive director Claire Trevett confirmed a film crew had followed police for seven months.

The documentary – which would follow the investigation team working to locate Phillips and his children – was being produced by Dame Julie Christie and NHNZ Productions.

"We have only agreed to the police participation in this work – and the production company is responsible for their own requests of any other individuals."

Trevett said the documentary crew "has never been given access to, and nor has it sought from police to film anything involving the children".

"The agreement with police specifies that, beyond photos already in the media, the children will not be identified on screen in the film. That applies unless there is written consent from both the children’s legal guardian and police."

She added that police "has final approval over the use of content, as is standard for all documentary or follow-TV agreements".

"This includes content that might impact on victims and content that might cause harm to the children or to members of the wider family consequent to the broadcast of the documentary.

"Matters affecting privacy and youth issues are also included and all filming is required to comply with court orders and laws including privacy laws."

Trevett said police had not received any payment for their participation in the film.

"This production is not allowed to be broadcast before the completion of any IPCA, coronial or other inquiry."

In a statement this evening, Oranga Tamariki regional commissioner Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Warwick Morehu, confirmed to 1News that the government department had "not been involved in the filming of any potential documentary regarding this case".

"We understand there is huge public interest in these children, however we are focused on supporting them to maintain their privacy as they navigate reintegration into the community."

Morehu said Oranga Tamariki would not be providing ongoing updates on the children going forward.

"We hope that the public can understand these children have experienced things that no children should ever be subjected to and the least we can afford them moving forward is a sense of normality and the anonymity that should be afforded anyone in these circumstances."

Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad cautioned against the production of the documentary, saying the children needed privacy and had a right to it.

"Speculation and ongoing media attention does not serve the children’s wellbeing, safety and interests.

"This situation has been covered in detail by the media – both here and overseas. I can’t see how a documentary covering what has happened would be respectful of the children’s right to privacy, and I caution against it.

"Respecting the children’s privacy and space is crucial now, and I ask that everyone respects this now, and in the coming weeks, months and years."

1News has approached NHNZ Productions for comment.