Key Takeaways:
- Tom Phillips died in a shootout with police in September 2025, and a member of the police’s media team informed a documentary crew about the incident before notifying his family.
- Police have apologized for the mistake, stating that it was "ill-advised" and did not meet their usual standards.
- The documentary crew had been following the hunt for Phillips and his children for over a year, with exclusive access to the investigation.
- The police had a contract with the documentary production company, which included strict conditions and control over the documentary project.
- The contract gave the police the right to preview and edit the documentary, as well as terminate filming access at any time.
Introduction to the Incident
The death of Tom Phillips in a shootout with police in September 2025 has raised questions about the handling of the incident, particularly with regards to the notification of his family. A member of the police’s media team informed a documentary crew about the incident at least an hour before Phillips’ family was notified. This has been revealed through an Official Information Act (OIA) request, which has shed light on the events surrounding Phillips’ death. The police have since apologized for the mistake, stating that it was "ill-advised" and did not meet their usual standards.
Notification of the Family
The police have confirmed that a media statement was published on their website at 7:15 am, notifying the public of a "serious incident in Western Waikato". However, Phillips’ family was not informed until after 7:30 am, and the mother of his children was not told until after 8 am. In contrast, the documentary crew was informed of the critical incident via text message at 6:15 am. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers has stated that the notification of the documentary crew before the family was "very regrettable" and did not meet police standards. Rogers has also apologized in person to the family on behalf of the police.
The Documentary Crew’s Involvement
The documentary crew had been following the hunt for Phillips and his children for over a year, with exclusive access to the investigation. The police had a contract with the documentary production company, which included strict conditions and control over the documentary project. The contract gave the police the right to preview and edit the documentary, as well as terminate filming access at any time. The documentary crew was also required to obtain permission from the police before using any material recorded for the documentary for any other purpose. The police also retained the right to veto any replays or altered versions of the documentary.
The Contract Between Police and Documentary Makers
The contract between the police and the documentary production company, NHNZ Worldwide, was signed on March 20, 2025. The contract outlined the terms of the documentary project, including the access agreement, which gave the filmmakers exclusive opportunities to view evidence, attend and record police briefings, meetings, and operations. In exchange, the police retained extensive control over the documentary project, including the right to preview and edit the documentary. The contract also included provisions for the protection of the children involved, including a ban on using photos of the children without permission from their legal guardian and the police.
Conclusion and Apology
The police have apologized for the mistake in notifying the documentary crew before Phillips’ family. Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers has stated that the police usually prioritize notifying family members first, and that the mistake did not meet their standards. The incident has raised questions about the handling of sensitive information and the relationship between the police and the media. The police have acknowledged that the notification of the documentary crew should have been made at the same time as the notification of the family, and have apologized for any distress caused. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the needs and rights of family members in sensitive and critical incidents.
