A child of fugitive Tom Phillips cautioned police of firearms hidden at the campsite the group were staying at before entering yesterday.
Phillips died after a shootout with police after they were called to reports of a burglary in the early hours of Monday.
Follow our live updates here
One of his children, who was with him at the time, then began assisting police.
More than 12 hours later, the remaining two children were located in a remote campground.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Morning Report he was very relieved the children had been recovered safely.
He said police knew there were firearms at the campsite, so they needed to be careful. The child in custody helped police take a safe approach, Chambers said.
Chambers said during the nearly four-year search, police had contacted private organisations and overseas law enforcement for help.
He said the campsite where the children were found was deep in dense bush about 2km away from where Phillips was fatally shot.
They had been there for a little while, and there had been some “structures” created, Chambers said.
He said the children have a “long road to recovery”, but he had comfort in knowing they’re now being supported.
Experts warn it ‘could take months, if not years’ for Tom Phillips’ kids to heal – Watch on TVNZ+
The children had been checked by health professionals and were doing well, Chambers confirmed.
Chambers was in Melbourne for the two Australian police officers killed in Porepunkah yesterday, but returned to New Zealand urgently when he heard the news.
“I got a phone call about 1:47am in the morning… By last night I was very, very relieved at the safe recovery of the children who have been missing for a long time,” he said.
Tom Phillips dead: Inside the four year-long case of the missing father and kids – Watch on TVNZ+
Chambers planned to visit the officer who was seriously injured during the standoff with Phillips this morning.
“He spent a good chunk of yesterday in surgery, he’s got serious injuries to his head and his shoulder, it was very, very close for him.
“It’s certainly my worst nightmare as a commissioner when I get a phone call that we’ve lost a colleague, it got very close yesterday morning, and I’m relieved he’s doing well.”
Phillips allegedly fired at an officer during a burglary response. (Source: 1News)
He said the officer was local, and the presence of other police staff likely saved his life.
“When this happened and I was in Melbourne, I logged straight onto the system and made sure there was support nearby for him.
“The presence of other colleagues alongside him when this played out has probably avoided a bigger tragedy.”
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including new details about the end of the Marokopa search and how the injured officer is doing, plus Banksy’s new politically charged artwork. (Source: 1News)
Chambers said it was quite possible Phillips was assisted in the last four years, but he cannot say for certain.
He said police were working through that.
“I expect there will be many more months of hard work.”
Officers dealt with a vast area, dangerous terrain, an armed man and young children during the years-long search for Phillips, Chambers said.
“There have been so many factors to work through,” he said.
“The safe recovery of the children has always been our goal, but we did not want it to end the way it did yesterday… but I am incredibly relieved the children are safe and well.”
Former negotiator: Why Police didn’t move in on Marokopa family sooner – Watch on TVNZ+
Child psychologist Dr Sarah Watson told Morning Report the children had gone through so much and will need good quality trauma therapy.
“They will need to have people wrapped around them that they can begin a new life with,” she said.
“It’s so hard after four years separated and effectively isolated.”
Watson said the situation the children have gone through is “fairly unprecedented” both in New Zealand and worldwide.
“There’s no real rule book… it’s completely new.”
She said children are resilient in their hearts, but they will need consistency, calm and people who will look after them in a way that is predictable.
“It’s gonna be a tough road for them. We don’t know what the narrative they’ve had about their mother or other whanau has been which makes it even more challenging.”
She said they have missed out on years of crucial education.
“I don’t know what they’ve been able to learn so far and also there’s the whole social dynamics in the learning environment not just the content of learning either, so it’s yet another thing to do in a stepped fashion to not overwhelm them.”
rnz.co.nz
