IR-01-25-33825
23 October 2025
Nigel Gray
[FYI request #32304 email]
Tēnā koe Nigel
Request for information
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 12 September 2025,
regarding the events of 8 September 2025 where Tom Phil ips shot and critically injured
an officer before he himself was shot and kil ed by Police.
The events of 8 September are subject to several active investigations, including a
Critical Incident investigation, an Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA)
investigation and a Coronial enquiry. Police also continues to investigate the likelihood
Phil ips received outside support.
While I acknowledge there is a significant public interest in the events surrounding the
shooting and the search for Tom Phil ips and his children, it is important that these
investigations are not prejudiced by premature release of relevant information. This
means there wil be significant restrictions on what information can be made available at
this time. Police intends to address the public interest by proactively releasing relevant
information when it is appropriate to do so.
My response to each part of your request can be found below.
1. How many bullets hit Tom Phil ips?
2. In what locations of the body did they enter and from what side?
3. Were the shots all fired from the same gun or a number of guns?
4. Who fired first?
5. Did the child fire any shots?
6. Were there any communications either way between Tom and the first police
officer on the scene prior to gunfire?
As this information is relevant to Critical Incident investigation, the IPCA investigation and
the Coronial enquiry, it is withheld under section 6(c) of the OIA, as the making available
of the information would be likely to prejudice the maintenance of the law.
7. What was the purpose of police releasing photos of the campsite and Jack
Daniels and two cans of Sprite?
Following an assessment that release of those photographs would not prejudice any
active investigations, Police released photographs of the campsite to address the public
interest.
Please note that as part of its commitment to openness and transparency, Police
proactively releases some information and documents that may be of interest to the
public. An anonymised version of this response may be publicly released on the New
Zealand Police website.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Jill Rogers
Acting Deputy Commissioner
New Zealand Police
