Govt accepts recommendations in the Phillips Inquiry
The New Zealand Government has accepted all recommendations from the Phillips Inquiry, acknowledging systemic failures in protecting isolated children and pledging reforms to prevent future harm.
The Government formally accepted all 41 findings and nine recommendations from the Public Inquiry into the Disappearance of the Phillips Children, released today. Minister Louise Upston acknowledged the exceptional circumstances of the case while stressing the need for agencies to improve collaboration and responsiveness. She expressed deep regret to the Phillips children for the systemic failures that left them isolated in squalid conditions for nearly four years.
The Inquiry, led by Simon Moore KC, highlighted missed opportunities where agencies failed to share information, listen to family concerns, or act with sufficient urgency. It noted that harm caused by deliberate isolation was often minimised, including concerns raised by the maternal whānau, which were dismissed as parenting disputes. The report also criticised inconsistent interagency approaches that contributed to the children’s prolonged disappearance.
Police has strengthened its Missing Persons policy to address cases involving deliberate concealment or isolation of children, introducing senior oversight and additional resourcing for complex investigations. Oranga Tamariki, Police, and Health NZ updated the Child Protection Protocol to explicitly recognise prolonged isolation and controlling access as forms of harm, aligning with recommendations from the Poutasi Review and Abuse in Care Inquiry.
The Government is implementing mandatory training for core children’s workers to better identify and respond to abuse and neglect, with phased rollouts underway. Minister Upston emphasised the importance of learning from the tragedy while ensuring the Phillips children are left in peace to rebuild their lives free from further disruption.