On September 12, 2025, New Zealand police unveiled a stunning insight into the mind of Tom Phillips, the fugitive killed in a Piopio shootout on September 8, declaring, “He was a selfish man but one who loved his children beyond measure.” This bombshell statement, reported by NZ Herald, has reignited a firestorm over why Phillips fled with his three children—Jayda, Maverick, and Ember—into Waikato’s wilderness in December 2021. The revelation, drawn from interviews with his children and campsite evidence, paints a complex portrait of a father whose desperate love drove him to extremes, leaving New Zealand divided.

Police say Phillips, 38, acted out of fear of losing custody to his ex-wife, Cat, after a bitter dispute, believing he was protecting Jayda (12), Maverick (10), and Ember (9) by hiding in remote campsites. “His actions were selfish, isolating his kids,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said, yet she acknowledged his “fierce devotion” shown in their survival. The children’s recent claim, “Our mother lied,” and tales of a “mystery woman” aiding them, fuel speculation of Phillips’ paranoia. X (#PhillipsMotive) is ablaze—some call him a tragic hero, others a reckless danger.

Campsite photos reveal a grueling existence, with firearms and supplies hinting at outside help. Cat’s ongoing court battle for drink-driving adds tension, delaying her reunion with the kids, now in Oranga Tamariki care. Was Phillips a loving dad pushed to the edge, or a selfish captor? As investigations probe his motives, this saga tears at New Zealand’s heart, questioning love’s limits.