Police believe they've discovered the main campsite used by Tom Phillips and his three children in recent months.
It was found about 200 metres away from the site where the two younger children were found on Monday, across some difficult terrain, of which pictures were released earlier.
Phillips had been evading police since December of 2021, and had Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9 with him.
On Monday, the fugitive was killed after a shootout with police, who had been called to reports of a burglary in the small Waikato town of Piopio. One child who was with him was unhurt and helped police locate their siblings.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders said the site was difficult to access and well hidden, and police were now working on steep and uneven ground to document evidence from the scene.
"It's a very grim, dimly lit area, surrounded by dense bush," he said.
A tent was discovered, well-covered and dry.
Officers were analysing a number of items, he said, and it was now clear Phillips had outside help.
Cordons remain in place at the camp scene and it was not clear when they will be lifted.
Police vehicles and the quad bike from the scene of Monday's shooting were removed from Te Anga Rd last night, and police would continue their examination of the area today and tomorrow.
The officer injured on Monday remained in Waikato Hospital. In a message, his family thanked the public and police for support they had received.
Acting Waikato District Commander Andrea McBeath said staff had been humbled by support from the public.
"Operation Curly", as it was known, which was focused on locating Phillips and the safe return of the children, was at an end.
"We've always suspected Tom Phillips was receiving help."
Burglaries were being re-investigated to see if Phillips was responsible, or if it might be those helping him.
"While no one wanted it to end in these circumstances, it is highly satisfying as an investigator that the children have been safely returned," Saunders said.The children are in Oranga Tamariki's care (the Ministry for Children).
Their mother, Cat, has told RNZ's Mata she was yet to be told what the plan was to reunite her and the children and there was still no timeline.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was sympathetic to Cat but it was "a complex situation" with authorities governed by court orders.
Injunction hearing and documentary
An urgent injunction preventing media from publishing certain details related to the investigation into Tom Phillips and his family will be heard at the High Court in Wellington on Thursday.
On Monday evening, lawyer Linda Clark, acting for the Phillips family, went to the court seeking the injunction. Justice Cull granted an interim order for 48 hours, preventing media, police and Oranga Tamariki from publishing certain details related to the case.
Media organisations, including RNZ, will be heard on the matter in court tomorrow.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed today a film crew from NHNZ Productions has been following the police investigation for a year and given exclusive access to the campsite. The crew is filming a documentary produced by Dame Julie Christie.
Saunders said he was unwilling to answer any questions regarding the documentary.
