Police concede four-week review of Tom Phillips documentary was ambitious

New Zealand Police have conceded that the four-week timeframe they set for a review of their handling of the Tom Phillips documentary was ambitious, and the report is now expected to be completed before the end of 2026.

The review examines how police managed their engagement with the documentary production and mainstream media during the investigation into Phillips, who vanished with his three young children from Marokopa in the Waikato region in December 2021. Phillips died in a shootout with officers in September 2025 after they responded to a burglary report.

The update follows the release of more than 600 pages of correspondence obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act. The documents reveal that NHNZ Productions, a Dunedin-based company, followed the hunt for Phillips and his children for over a year. The documentary is being produced by Dame Julie Christie and will stream on Netflix.

The terms of reference for the review state it will focus on police decision-making, systems, and governance, including policy adherence and risk management. It will also assess how documentary and mainstream media engagement was structured and overseen, as well as operational access decisions and media equity. Key questions include how the relationship with the documentary crew was established and governed, and how contractual terms shaped police communications approaches.

Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers is leading the review. Police describe him as having a strong record in leading high-profile investigations that attract significant public and media interest. He will be supported by Gavin Ellis, an independent external media expert who will provide subject-matter expertise on media practice and public-interest considerations. Vickers will report to the executive director of media and communications, who will brief the chief of staff and commissioner on the findings.

Internal emails released in the documents show that Claire Trevett, the chief media and communications advisor to the Police Commissioner, raised concerns about the handling of the documentary in March 2026. Trevett emailed the Police Commissioner on March 13, summarizing issues in the upcoming Official Information Act release. She noted that texts and emails showed the scale of access the documentary crew received and the extent to which they were briefed by police staff, including Juli Clausen, the director of media and strategic communications, and Andy Saunders, the officer in charge of the investigation.

Trevett also highlighted skepticism within police about the project at its early stages, with some staff arguing responsibility should lie with another team member. The documents include a wish list from Christie requesting early notice of major developments and attendance at all meetings. In an email from October 2025, Trevett informed Christie that the follow-footage phase of the documentary was complete, citing Clause 8 of the agreement which states that matters pertaining to Operation Curly are sub judice. Trevett said a preview screening would be convened for a police viewing committee.

More recently, on October 28, a member of the police media team emailed Christie regarding a statement on the documentary that would be sent to media. The statement said producers had not requested access to subsequent operations and that future requests would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Christie replied that she did not want to infer there would be no more shooting, noting that final interviews with the investigation team were still needed. She also requested a pick-up shoot with a detective and a specific scene with Saunders, stating it would take a maximum of two days.

Police have not approved any further filming requests. A spokesperson said plans for the documentary are on pause. The spokesperson noted that the review has been held up for a number of reasons, including an expanded list of interviewees and staff on leave. They expect the review to be out before the end of the year. A public summary will be released outlining the scope of the review, high-level findings, and the actions police will take as a result.

Police also corrected a detail regarding the documentary crew's presence in Marokopa. A spokesperson said the crew was not given a ride on the Eagle helicopter to Marokopa. The flight was already scheduled with the investigation team as part of Operation Curly for a flyover of the area. It was decided that a camera operator could join the flight to assist in collecting footage to support the documentary, in accordance with the agreement.