Man Shot Dead During Police Confrontation Near Fugitive Father Search in New Zealand

Tom Phillips, a fugitive father who had been living off-grid with his three children in the New Zealand wilderness since 2021, is believed to have been shot dead during an armed confrontation with police responding to a burglary in Waitomo, western Waikato. During the incident, a police officer was also shot in the head and remains in serious condition but conscious. Police responded to reports of a burglary at a commercial property around 2:30 a.m., which led to an exchange of gunfire resulting in Phillips' death and the arrest of another person. The shooting occurred amid an extensive manhunt for Phillips, who had been evading capture and was wanted for various charges including robbery and possession of a firearm. Authorities have set up road closures and police cordons in the area to secure the scene, with senior police officials providing updates as the investigation continues. Local officials and national leaders have been briefed but have deferred to police for further details on the operation.