Mother of Marokopa Children Speaks Out After Tom Phillips Killed

The mother of three missing Marokopa children has spoken publicly for the first time since their father, fugitive Tom Phillips, was killed in a police shooting. Her words capture both relief and grief, reflecting the complexity of a saga that has gripped New Zealand for nearly four years.

A Wave of Complex Emotions

In a statement released through Māori news outlet Mata, the children’s mother, Cat, said news of Phillips’ death had brought a “wave of complex emotions.”

“First and foremost, we are deeply relieved that for our tamariki this ordeal has come to an end,” she said. “They have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care.”

Yet she also acknowledged the deep sadness surrounding the way the ordeal concluded. “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 for everyone involved.”

A Fugitive Life in the Bush

Tom Phillips had been evading police since December 2021, when he vanished with his three children — Ember, then 8; Maverick, then 9; and Jayda, then 11. The family was last seen in Marokopa, a remote community on the Waikato coast.

Phillips’ disappearance sparked one of the country’s most high-profile manhunts. Police searches across rugged terrain involving helicopters, drones, and ground teams turned up few results. Locals speculated that Phillips, known for his bushcraft skills, had been raising the children off the grid in makeshift shelters, sometimes relying on stolen supplies.

Over the years, sightings of the fugitive father and his children were sporadic. In October 2023, a group of teenage pig hunters reported seeing them walking across a coastal farm, reigniting hope. Yet, as before, Phillips and the children slipped back into hiding before authorities could intervene.

Recent Sightings and a Fatal Encounter

Last Wednesday, a flurry of sightings was reported, culminating in police locating a stolen ute allegedly linked to Phillips. According to Waikato police, teams began “scanning all reports of possible sightings” as they renewed their efforts to track him down.

The situation escalated when Phillips was confronted by officers. Details of the fatal shooting remain under investigation, but police confirmed that the children were found safe in the aftermath.

Inspector Karl Thornton, speaking on behalf of Waikato police, said community support had been crucial. “We’ve always known that help from locals would be the key to finding Tom Phillips and his children,” he said. “We want to thank those who came forward with information and reassure the community that our priority has always been the safety of the children.”

Relief for the Children’s Mother

For Cat, the children’s safe recovery marks the end of an agonising chapter. She described the toll of their absence as “immeasurable,” saying that birthdays, milestones, and ordinary days alike had been marked by longing and uncertainty.

“Every night, I went to sleep not knowing if they were safe, if they were warm, if they had enough to eat,” she told Mata. “Now, we can finally bring them home, surround them with love, and help them heal.”

She emphasised that the children’s well-being would remain the family’s focus. “This is not the ending we wanted, but it is a new beginning for Ember, Maverick, and Jayda. They deserve safety, care, and a chance to grow up without fear.”

Community Divided

Phillips’ story has long divided opinion in Marokopa and beyond. Some locals saw him as a survivalist father who rejected modern society to raise his children in the bush. Others viewed his actions as reckless and dangerous, arguing that he deprived his children of education, healthcare, and stability.

His death has now brought those debates into sharper focus. Community leaders urged compassion, reminding the public that three children are at the heart of the story. “This has always been about their safety and future,” said one kaumātua. “We need to make sure they are surrounded with aroha [love] and support as they return to whānau.”

Looking Ahead

With Phillips gone, attention now turns to how the children will reintegrate into daily life after years of isolation. Experts say it will take time for them to adjust to routines of school, community, and ordinary living.

Police, meanwhile, have promised transparency as they investigate the circumstances of Phillips’ death, balancing public accountability with the children’s need for privacy.

For their mother, the focus is simple: “We will walk alongside them, one step at a time,” she said. “What matters most is that they are safe, and they are home.”

The saga of Tom Phillips and the Marokopa children has ended, but its legacy will linger in the community’s memory. It is a story of resilience, loss, and, ultimately, the enduring love of a mother waiting to embrace her children again.