Man shot dead and cop injured in area where police are hunting for fugitive father four years after going on the run with his three children in New Zealand wilderness

A person has been shot dead by police in the New Zealand region where fugitive father Tom Phillips has been on the run with his three children for almost four years.

Police remain at the scene in Waitomo, in western Waikato early Monday morning.

It’s understood that police were responding to a burglary at a commercial premises about 2.30am when there was a confrontation.

A police officer was shot before another officer opened fire and shot the suspect, who died at the scene.

Another person was taken into custody.

The injured officer was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.

Otorohanga mayor Max Baxter is ‘getting the feeling’ the incident was related to Phillips after hearing ‘all sorts of rumours’ about the operation, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Police are yet to confirm the nature of the incident or those involved. 

The fugitive dad has been on the run with his children Ember, Maverick and Jayda (pictured) for almost four years

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has advised the force that the officer ‘is conscious and talking to his fellow officers. 

‘A significant police operation is underway,’ he said.

“Police ask media and members of the public to respect the police operation and cordons that are now in place to ensure nobody is put at risk.’

Te Anga Road remains cordoned off between Waitomo and Marokopa. 

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers is on her way to Waikato and is expected to give an update about the incident later on Monday morning.

‘Further details will be provided as they become available,’ a police statement read.

Commissioner Chambers is currently in Melbourne for the funeral of Victoria Police Detective Neal Thompson, 59, one of two officers fatally shot in the state’s high country on August 26. He will return to New Zealand later on Monday.

Phillips vanished from the rural town of Marokopa on New Zealand’s North Island in December 2021 with Jayda, now 12, Maverick, ten, and Ember, nine following a custody dispute with their mother.

They are believed to have lived in the wilderness ever since, despite numerous police search operations and a NZ$80,000 reward.

There have been several possible sightings in the last year.

Police recently released fresh footage of Phillips and one of his children captured on CCTV using an angle grinder to break into the Piopio Superette general store.

More to come.