“Ill-Advised”: NZ Police Apologise for Alerting Documentary Crew to Tom Phillips’ Death Before Family
By Lions Roar Aotearoa News
NEW ZEALAND (Friday, January 23, 2026) — A shocking breach of protocol has been revealed following the death of fugitive Tom Phillips in September 2025. RNZ has uncovered that a member of the New Zealand Police media team notified a documentary film crew about the fatal shootout at least an hour before Phillips’ own family was told.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers has issued a personal apology to the family, describing the decision to prioritize the film crew as “ill-advised” and “very regrettable.”
📱 The Timeline: Media Before Kin
According to details released under the Official Information Act (OIA), a “critical incident” text was sent by the police director of media to the CEO of a documentary production company long before the legal next of kin were reached.
- 6:15 AM: A member of the police media team texts the documentary crew about the “critical incident.”
- 7:15 AM: A general statement is published on the police website regarding a “serious incident in Western Waikato.”
- After 7:30 AM: Tom Phillips’ family is finally notified of his death.
- After 8:00 AM: The mother of the Phillips children is informed.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Rogers admitted she only became aware of this timing during the OIA compilation process, stating, “This did not meet our standards.”
🎥 The “Access Agreement”: Evidence for Sale?
The revelation has cast a spotlight on a controversial “access agreement” signed in March 2025 between NZ Police and NHNZ Worldwide (in partnership with London-based Grain Media).
The contract gave filmmakers unprecedented, exclusive access to the hunt for Phillips, including:
- Exclusive viewing of evidence and trail camera footage.
- Recording of private police briefings, meetings, and operations.
- Interviews with key investigators and specialist officers.
- Drone footage from aerial police operations.
In exchange, the police retained “veto rights” over the final edit and total control over what could be broadcast, aiming for a projected release in 2027.
🏛️ A “Menace” to Procedure?
The police investigation team working on the ground in Marokopa was reportedly unaware that the media team in Wellington was feeding live updates to a film crew. Rogers defended the staff member involved, claiming they acted “without bad intent” as part of the established working relationship with the production company.
However, the Phillips family has expressed deep distress over the discovery, questioning why a commercial documentary project was granted higher priority than the basic dignity of a death notification.
📊 Summary: The Phillips Notification Scandal
| Group Notified | Approximate Time | Method |
| Documentary Crew | 6:15 AM | Text Message |
| General Public | 7:15 AM | Website Statement |
| Phillips Family | 7:30 AM+ | Official Notification |
| Mother of Children | 8:00 AM+ | Official Notification |
