Tuesday, 11 November 2025

Elite SAS forces used in search for fugitive dad, military confirms

    1. Canterbury
    2. National

    One of the campsites Tom Phillips lived in with his children. Photo: RNZ / Supplied / Police
    One of the campsites Tom Phillips lived in with his children. Photo: RNZ / Supplied / Police
    The military has confirmed members of its elite special forces were used to search for fugitive father Tom Phillips and his children.

    Phillips was shot by police on September 8 - four years after he disappeared in December 2021.

    The defence force has confirmed members of the SAS were involved in the search for Phillips and his children on three occasions.

    It said the service usually operated overseas, but in this case it was cleared to help Police.

    The New Zealand Herald reported that up to four SAS members - including expert trackers - helped police search for the family in remote Waikato bush in 2024 and 2025.

     

    RNZ