Public and Government Inquiries
Time for Inquiry Extended - 28 July 2026
The Attorney-General has extended the deadline for the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children by one month, allowing the Inquiry additional time to clarify a matter.
The report was delivered to the Governor General and Government on 21 July 2026.
The Inquiry focused on whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the welfare and safety of the Phillips children, including whether agencies engaged appropriately with the Family Court; and took all practicable steps to find and recover the children.
An update on the public release of the report will be made by the Government in due course.
Report Delivered 21 July 2026
The report on the Public Inquiry into the Disappearance of the Phillips Children has been delivered to the Governor General and Government.
The Inquiry has been conducted in adherence to its Terms of Reference and the report has been delivered on 21 July 2026.
Inquiry Member, the Honourable Simon Moore KC says the Inquiry has focused on whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the welfare and safety of the children, including whether agencies engaged appropriately with the Family Court; and took all practicable steps to find and recover the children.
The Inquiry has met the requirement to make recommendations about practicable steps that government agencies should take in future situations of a similar nature. It has also made findings on whether there are appropriate powers and authorities in place that might prevent, or improve the response, to similar situations in future.
The Inquiry report and recommendations respect the privacy and welfare of the children, and relevant court decisions including suppression orders.
Simon Moore says that the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations are wide-ranging and detailed.
“While the circumstances of this particular case are exceptional, and as such unlikely to be repeated, lessons must, nonetheless, be learned,” he says.
Simon Moore says it is notable that no agency, organisation or person the Inquiry dealt with was anything other than fully co-operative and the Inquiry extends its sincere gratitude to all who shared their expertise and experiences.
An update on the public release of the report will be made by the Government in due course.
About the Inquiry
Purpose of the Inquiry
Tom Phillips disappeared with his three children in September 2021 and did not return for 18 days, despite extensive searches. Upon reappearing, Tom Phillips was the subject of criminal charges.
On or about 10 December 2021, Tom Phillips again disappeared with the children. A nationwide search to locate him and children over nearly four years followed.
The inquiry was esytablished to examine whether government agencies could have taken more effective steps to safeguard the safety and welfare of the children of Tom Phillips, and whether agencies responded appropriately and in a
On September 8, 2025, Police encountered Tom Phillips and one of the children. He shot and seriously wounded a Police Officer and was subsequently fatally shot by another officer. The three children were located and safely recovered that day. timely way to locate the children once they had disappeared.
In carrying out its work, the Inquiry made every effort to ensure the welfare of the children was not compromised or threatened. It completed its investigation and reporting according to this central principle.
Terms of Reference
- Inquiries (Public Inquiry into Disappearance of Phillips Children) Order 2025 (New Zealand Legislation website)
Member of the Inquiry
The Honourable Simon Moore KC was appointed as the sole member of the Inquiry.
Simon’s legal career spans four decades. He has served as Judge of the High Court for 11 years, including six as Executive Judge for Auckland. He has also operated as Crown Solicitor for Auckland. He was appointed Silk in 2008.
Following retirement from the High Court in 2024, Simon was appointed Chair of the Electoral Commission | Pou Kaiāwha Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri, and serves as President of the Hearing Research Foundation.
How the Inquiry did its work
The Inquiry began considering evidence from 21 January 2026 and delivered its report to the Governor General on 21 July 2026.
- Minute 1 – Conduct of the Inquiry (PDF, 236KB)
- Publication of and access to Inquiry documents (PDF, 146KB)
Questions and Answers
Why was a Public Inquiry needed?
The Government decided a public inquiry into what role government agencies played and could have played in these events was needed, to establish whether relevant agencies could take steps to prevent or resolve similar situations more quickly and effectively in future, and if so how.
Public inquiries usually address a particularly significant issue that carries a high level of concern to the public and to Ministers. The Government considered that the Inquiry into the Disappearance of the Phillips Children aligned with that view.
Public Hearings
The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were developed according to a central principle of protecting the privacy and welfare of these especially vulnerable children. The Inquiry did not conduct any public hearings or consultation process.
Did the Inquiry consider other reviews?
Yes, the Inquiry considered a wide range of evidence where it assisted it to deliver its report.
The Inquiry was not bound by the conclusions or recommendations of any other investigation, report, or review.
The Inquiry noted that the Coroner had adjourned its related proceedings until the Inquiry was completed.
What was the Inquiry not permitted to look at?
The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference listed the matters that are outside its scope. These include not inquiring into:
- government agency involvement with the children after they were located on 8 September 2025,
- legislative, administrative, and policy settings for New Zealand’s firearms licencing system, and
- judicial decision decisions concerning the children, including suppression orders made in relation to the children
The Inquiry has now concluded its work and is no longer monitoring its communication channels.
For general enquiries, please contact Te Tari Taiwhenua | the Department of Internal Affairs’ Inquiry team at: statutoryinquiries@dia.govt.nz
For media enquiries, please contact Te Tari Taiwhenua | the Department of Internal Affairs’ Media team at: media@dia.govt.nz
