Oranga Tamariki accepts Public Inquiry recommendations on Phillips children
Published: September 15, 2026
The Public Inquiry into the actions of government agencies in response to the disappearance of the Phillips children has been released. Read about the Report and our statement from Chief Executive Amanda Malu.
The Report of the Public Inquiry into the Disappearance of the Phillips Children was released on 15 September 2026 by the Lead Minister for the Government Response Louise Upston.
Tom Phillips disappeared with his 3 children in September 2021. After spending nearly 4 years on the run with his children. He was fatally shot by Police. The children were located the same day.
The Public Inquiry was held to look at whether Government agencies, including Oranga Tamariki, took all steps to protect the children, engage appropriately with the Family Court and took all practicable steps to find and recover the children.
Read our statement on the findings and our next steps from our Chief Executive Amanda Malu below.
Statement from Chief Executive Amanda Malu
Oranga Tamariki has accepted the findings and recommendations arising from the Report of the Public Inquiry into the Phillips Children Disappearance, and changes are underway to address the Inquiry’s concerns.
The Report makes for difficult and at times harrowing reading.
It identifies opportunities that were missed to keep these children safe.
I would particularly like to acknowledge the courage shown by the children's mother and older siblings, we did not listen in the way we should have, and this family deserved better from us.
Oranga Tamariki is taking immediate action to address the issues identified and strengthen practice across the organisation.
I am heartened to read that from 2023 the actions of our staff in relation to this case were commended, especially on the day the children were found.
However, some of our actions before that time fell short of my expectations.
New Zealanders expect a high standard from Oranga Tamariki and as a new Chief Executive here, it is my job to deliver on these expectations and that is what I am here to do.
I want to assure the public that we have already made changes and are continuing to do so. This includes better information sharing and collaboration with our colleagues at Police.
The Police Commissioner and I are united in our resolve to ensure our agencies are working closely together when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of children.
The organisation remains relentlessly focused on ensuring children and young people received the protection and support they deserved.
Every child has the right to be safe, heard and protected. We are committed to learning from the Report and making the improvements necessary to better serve the children and families we work with.