'We are deeply sorry': Government apologises to Tom Phillips' children after damning inquiry
A government inquiry into the Tom Phillips case has concluded that agencies failed to protect the children involved, leading to a formal apology. The report identifies missed opportunities for interagency collaboration that could have prevented the children's long-term disappearance.
Why it matters
It underscores the importance of interagency communication in child welfare cases and the accountability of government institutions.
You can read the full report at the bottom of this page.
A public inquiry into the handling of the Tom Phillips case says the harm he caused in isolating the children as well as concerns from the maternal whānau were "minimised or overlooked by agencies for significant periods".
It also says that while agencies worked well together at times a more consistent and collaborative interagency approach "could have prevented the children's disappearance and brought them back sooner".
The Government has apologised to the Phillips children for failing to protect them.
The Government, Police and Oranga Tamariki (OT) have accepted the findings and recommendations, with OT's chief executive calling the report "difficult and at times harrowing reading".
"It identifies opportunities that were missed to keep these children safe."
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