Attorney-General Chris Bishop has extended the final report deadline for the public inquiry into the disappearance of fugitive Tom Phillips' children by one month, allowing time for the inquiry to "clarify" a matter.
The inquiry presented its report to the Governor-General's office and Attorney General on Tuesday last week, as required by its terms of reference.
It was launched on November 27, 2025 by then-Attorney-General Judith Collins.
Today, Bishop praised the work of the chair, Simon Moore, and the Inquiry.
"The Inquiry has provided a thorough and exacting report on the nature and extent of government agencies’ involvement with Mr Phillips and the children, from before their disappearance through to when they were found," Bishop said.
"The Inquiry has carefully considered suppression orders and the welfare of the children in its reporting. This aligns with the terms of reference’s first principle, which ensures the children’s welfare is not further threatened."
However, Bishop added there was "an issue I wish the inquiry to clarify".
"For this reason I intend to extend the Inquiry’s reporting date to allow it to record its views on the matter. I will do so, under the Inquiries Act, by amending the reporting date in the Inquiry’s terms of reference via Gazette notice."
It was noted no other aspects of the existing terms of reference would change.
Bishop would present the final report to parliament as soon as practicable. Prior to this, he will consider whether any information needed to be redacted to avoid impacting the administration of justice.
Phillips went on the run with children in December 2021, living rough in dense Waikato bush for four years. He died after opening fire on police on September 8 last year.
The fuguitive father was with one of his children at the scene of the fatal shooting and had three firearms with him. A further five firearms were found at the main camps.
During the shootout a police officer at the scene sustained serious injuries.
The officer suffered a glancing blow to the head from one bullet, while another caused significant damage to his right shoulder.
It was also believed the police car’s laminated windscreen may have saved the officer’s life by changing the trajectory of the bullets.
The two other children were found at a makeshift campsite.
In May, police completed a probe into possible accomplices of Phillips. No charges were laid.
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