Disclosed images reveal the bush campsite where Tom Phillips' children were discovered concealed, sparking controversy over their exposure to inappropriate experiences typical for the nation's youngsters.

In a dramatic turn of events, New Zealand fugitive Tom Phillips was shot dead by police on Monday morning near the town of Piopio. The incident marked the end of a four-year ordeal for the children of Phillips, Ember, Maverick, and Jayda, who were found safe at a nearby campsite.

The police shootout occurred on a roadside, with members of the media present to witness the events. The ordeal began when Phillips and Jayda were spotted stealing from a PGG Wrightson farm supply store in Piopio.

Phillips, armed with multiple high-powered firearms, confronted a lone officer during the ensuing confrontation, shooting him in the head with a high-powered rifle. Backup arrived and returned fire, killing Phillips. The officer, who spent a good chunk of Monday in surgery, is recovering from serious injuries to his head and shoulder.

Commissioner Chambers expressed relief that the ordeal had ended, with the children's mother, Cat, breaking her silence to echo those sentiments. Jayda, one of the missing children, was taken into custody after the shootout and provided 'vital information' to help locate the other children.

Despite an NZ$80,000 reward and multiple search operations, the family had been living in the wilderness since Phillips vanished from the rural town of Marokopa on the North Island in December 2021. Commissioner Chambers stated that police had been close to tracking down the missing family in previous searches.

Ember and Maverick, the other two children of Tom Phillips, were not present during the shootout. A bush search was initiated to find them, and they were located at the same campsite hours after Phillips was killed. They are now in the care of authorities.

Police are investigating how Phillips was able to access multiple firearms. The search results do not provide information about who supplied the weapons used by Tom Phillips. New photos have emerged of the remote campsite where the children were found after Phillips' death.

The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. Our thoughts are with the officer who was injured and with the children who have been through a harrowing experience.

Disclosed images reveal the bush campsite where Tom Phillips' children were discovered concealed, sparking controversy over their exposure to inappropriate experiences typical for the nation's youngsters.