Tom Phillips' children spent almost four years in "squalid conditions" that deprived them of a happy childhood, the Social Development Minister says, as the Government has officially apologised for failing to protect them.
Authorities today accepted nine recommendations of the inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children, released in a redacted form this afternoon.
Read more: Marokopa inquiry released: Whānau warnings 'brushed aside' by agencies
Minister Louise Upston said: “At the heart of this are the Phillips children who lived for almost four years in isolation from family, community and wider society, in squalid conditions which deprived them of the experiences, relationships, and opportunities New Zealanders would regard as fundamental to a happy and healthy childhood.
"To the Phillips children directly, this report has found that our agencies did not take all practical steps to protect you. For that we are deeply sorry."
Revealed: The ‘missed opportunity’ to locate Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips - Watch on TVNZ+
Senior 1News reporter Simon Mercep looks at what the latest images reveal about the late fugitive father. (Source: 1News)
She also called for privacy for the children.
Upston said, "while it is extremely important government agencies reflect on and learn from this tragic and sad event, it is equally important the Phillips children are left in peace so they can get on with their lives.
“They are the most important people in this. Their interests must come first.”
Social Development Minister Louise Upston said the children were deprived of a happy childhood. (Source: 1News)
The inquiry, led by former High Court judge Simon Moore KC, made nine recommendations and 41 findings.
Fronting media following the release, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers conceded a series of missed opportunities, including a 2023 sighting in which a woman had Phillips in her car and photographed him, but police never followed it up.
The inquiry found his kids were moved between remote bush camps around Marokopa, on the west coast of the North Island, some more than 20km apart across hilly terrain.
In one stretch, the inquiry found the bush so dense that "sight was lost of anyone beyond four to five metres away".
It's been a week since Tom Phillips' time on the run came to a tragic end. (Source: 1News)
The report found the Phillips children were "being denied the basic necessities every child is entitled to including access to their families — both maternal and paternal — and to education, healthcare, shelter and regular food".
Reacting to today's report, Children's Commissioner Jane Searle also echoed the call to leave Phillips' children alone, saying the focus now needed to turn to strengthening the system and protecting the privacy of those involved.
Upston said "significant opportunities were missed, particularly between the two disappearances", and that the harm caused by Phillips isolating the children "was underplayed, minimised or overlooked by agencies for significant periods".
"So too were concerns of the maternal whānau, which were often minimised as being part of a parenting dispute," she said.
"The circumstances of this case were exceptional, if not unique, however lessons must nonetheless be learned, particularly how agencies should work and operate together."
'Difficult and at times harrowing'
Oranga Tamariki chief executive Amanda Malu said the report "makes for difficult and at times harrowing reading".
"It identifies opportunities that were missed to keep these children safe," she said.
"I would particularly like to acknowledge the courage shown by the children's mother and older siblings, we did not listen in the way we should have, and this family deserved better from us.”
Speaking to reporters after the release, Malu paid tribute to the children's mother and older sisters, who had tried to warn agencies.
"Look, I'm a mum, and I have daughters, and all I can tell you is that the courage of those young women was absolutely incredible," she said.
Asked whether she was sorry for the years the children spent in harm's way, Malu said: "Of course, I'm sorry. Those children have had an awful and traumatic experience. There were opportunities we missed.
"There were things we did not do that may have changed that outcome. And for that, and our part in it, I am truly and deeply sorry."
Malu said: “Oranga Tamariki is taking immediate action to address the issues identified and strengthen practice across the organisation.
Terms of reference developed with the privacy and welfare of the three "vulnerable" children in mind. (Source: 1News)
“I am heartened to read that from 2023 the actions of our staff in relation to this case were commended, especially on the day the children were found."
“However, some of our actions before that time fell short of my expectations."
Questioned on whether she would meet the children, Malu said that was not her decision to make. "The children deserve their privacy. They have been through a lot, and that's something for their mother and their family to decide."
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Chambers acknowledged the inquiry's findings and said the initial investigation "was not given the focus and resource it required".
"Police acted commendably by making a report of concern to Oranga Tamariki. However it is clear there were gaps in information-sharing and follow-up discussions," he said.
"That is a joint responsibility, and it is important we get that right.
"The inquiry also made it clear that in the initial stages the police investigation was not given the focus and resource it required.
"As the inquiry outlines, police did put significantly more resource into the investigation once it became apparent how determined Tom Phillips was to remain hidden.
"It is now clear that should have happened earlier. The issues identified in this report should not detract from the commitment of police staff who put everything they had into trying to find and safely return the children over nearly four years.
The IPCA ruled the officer acted in self-defence after Phillips shot and critically wounded another officer. (Source: 1News)
"I am pleased the Inquiry recognised the care, dedication and extensive effort that police did put into this.
"It also recognised that, while there were some occasions on which we could have taken steps sooner or acted more quickly, overall we tried every operational tactic available to us.
"We appreciate the acknowledgement of the risks staff faced and the courage shown by police staff involved in the search and on the night Tom Phillips was shot and the children were safely recovered."
The commissioner said the officer shot and critically wounded that night faced "a long road to recovery" but was doing well.
"I spoke to him yesterday... I'm incredibly proud and impressed by how well he is dealing with a situation that could have resulted in losing his life. He's a young dad," he said.
Chambers said the case involved "a man who decided to take his children into the bush for nearly four years [who] was determined to never be found, and who was prepared to use serious violence against anybody who got in his way - no matter the cost."
'Urgency' needed - Children's Commissioner
Commissioner Searle welcomed the report's recommendations.
"The circumstances surrounding this case have generated significant public interest over many years. The focus now needs to turn to strengthening the system and protecting the privacy of those involved," she said.
“The recommendations from Justice Moore are an opportunity to implement change and close the gaps in the current system so that children and young people are safer. That will require prioritising the recommendations and implementing them with urgency."
She said the findings supported "what we have known for some time".
"That we need better coordination and information sharing between ... agencies so they can work more effectively together to protect and support children," Searle said.
“We know that coordinated multi-agency approaches will address some of the concerns raised in this report and build a stronger system for children.
"We need to ensure children grow up as part of their communities, with access to the education and health services, protections and supports they need to be safe and well.
“Our focus now should be on ensuring the lessons identified in this report lead to lasting improvements that strengthen protections for children and young people across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Any lessons we take from this report should ultimately help ensure that all children are protected, supported, and have their rights upheld, whatever their circumstances.”
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