“We can’t be the ones saying something about someone.
“There are two sides to the story, but only one is revealed.”
Does he not want to see it settled?
“There’s only one conclusion: leave (Tom) alone and walk away.”
Neville’s wife, Julia, said she wanted to see Tom and the children home, but was relieved to see them clearly visible in the pig hunting video.
She says people are “assuming” that she and Neville are helping Tom and his grandchildren, but that’s not true.
“If we knew where he was, would people think we would put up with the police, media, lawyers and Oranga Tamariki?
“If you knew, would you think you could put up with all this trouble?” So, no. And we’re not helping. ”
Neville says:
“Everything has been doomed from the beginning, so we have no choice but to stop it somehow.
“A lot of stuff has been created, and the media and the police have allowed it to happen.
Despite being seen several times since being on the run, Tom Phillips has been on the run from police for almost three years. Credit: New Zealand Police
“It’s not just the police who lie, the media also lies. It’s not good to twist the truth.”
He is also critical of reporting on matters pending in family courts. “That’s not true.”
Tom’s attempts to talk to Ben, Tom’s younger brother who lives a few kilometers away, fail.
As we were driving down Marokopa Street, a car momentarily crossed the center line towards us. The driver got angry that we were filming the farm, yelled obscenities at us and instructed us to “stop”.
On the main street in Otorohanga, where Phillips and her children lived until their first disappearance in late 2021, they were approached by a man who sources said was one of Phillips’ best friends.
Stuff.co.nz understands it was Mr Phillips who police allege visited Bunnings in disguise in August last year and traveled to Hamilton to shop.
Last year, when I knocked on this man’s door, he and his friends then drove me off the road and threatened me, furious that I was questioning them.
He won’t come today anymore. “Fuck off, tsk,” he said, then jumped into the ute and roared away.
Properties not far from where Phillips took the Ute will have better reception.
A large sign reads “Free to be myself” and “No submission,” and a giant spider hangs from a tree near the gate.
Resident Rachel Membry explains that her nickname is Black Widow.
Rachel Membry, who lives near Otorohanga, said Mr Phillips was giving her children a good education. Credit: Stuff.co.nz
“It’s the men who are stupid. When you come to town (Otorohanga), if you’re just divorced or something, they look at you like fresh meat. You might as well own it.”
Memberly has degrees in law and philosophy and describes himself as politically right-leaning and a “social justice warrior.”
She was a fierce opponent of the previous government’s vaccination mandate, as evidenced by the signage on her property.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, she sees Phillips as a victim of state persecution.
“Of course, people should root for the underdog, because someday any of us can be that underdog, and any of us can be persecuted by the state.”
She says “so many people” sympathize with Phillips.
“I think he’s a father who loves his kids. I think he believes he’s doing it for them.”
Phillips is wanted by police on charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm, but Memberly insists those are just charges.
If Phillips and the children showed up at her house, Memberly says she would “probably” help them and “probably” not call the police.
A young man rides a horse through the quiet streets of Marokopa. Credit: Stuff.co.nz
Overall, she wonders what Phillips did wrong.
“There are a lot of people who are raising their children differently in terms of education.
“I don’t know if what kids are being taught in school these days is necessarily beneficial to them…certainly not any more beneficial than learning self-survival in the bush. ”
Further south, in Te Kuiti, a 15-minute drive, the dramatic bank robbery of ANZ Bank in May last year continues to make headlines. In the incident, the two suspects fled with bundles of cash and opened fire on employees at a nearby supermarket.
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Witnesses said one of the assailants was a girl, and both the girl and the man had guns.
Police have charged Phillips with bank robbery and have issued a warrant for his arrest.
However, many local residents think that it is not him. One business owner is adamant that Mr. Phillips was not involved. When I asked her how she knew, she said, “I just know.”
Sue Hilton agrees. “Local residents know who did it and think it was a young man. Where is the evidence that (Phillips) did it?”
Mr Hilton, a vaccine skeptic who ran a cafe in Te Kuiti before the government’s vaccination mandate was introduced, said people needed to stop “judging” Mr Phillips and “leave him alone”. speak
“They’re his kids. He knows what he’s doing, he’s a good parent. He’s teaching his kids really great life skills.”
She has the solution to end this story. “The police need to give him immunity (from prosecution) and then maybe he will take the children away.
“I see a lot of judgment and it’s not right. What happens when it comes to kids who aren’t in school?
“The life skills they’re learning now are just as important. We live in the countryside, so kids here learn things differently than in the city.”
Fellow Te Kuiti local Ross Dempsey says he doesn’t agree with Phillips’ actions but understands them.
“Having been a single father myself, I know how men are treated in court,” he says. “I understand why he was a runner, but I don’t agree with keeping kids out of school.”
Dempsey also suspects that Phillips was behind the ANZ robbery.
“I think the police are using that as a bait for the public to try to crack down on him.
“I respect that the police are trying to do their job, but I think there’s something wrong with their faces.
“He has been on the run for quite some time and will continue to be on the run as long as the people and the people of Marokopa support him.”
Anal Moerua believes Tom Phillips needs to take his children home. Credit: Stuff.co.nz
I come across a figure dressed in red walking along the highway north of Te Kuiti.
Anal Moerua, an unemployed shearer, is walking into town because of a flat tire.
Mr Moerua disagrees that Mr Phillips should be left alone. On the contrary, he believes children will be traumatized by the experience. “That’s so wrong.”
Others we spoke to shared this view, but in general support for Phillips remains strong.
Dickie Green is sunbathing on his balcony near the Waitomo Caves.
Green watched the video of the Phillips family and thought they looked fine.
“They looked very happy, didn’t they? They had food.”
Green says it’s a peaceful place to live until there are reports of sightings and dozens of police cars arrive.
Dickie Green says he will help Tom Phillips if he shows up at his house. Credit: Stuff.co.nz
“The kids are going to love it, right? They can do whatever they want and shoot guns.
“Rather than go to school, it’s better to learn how to live and how to prepare your own food.
“I try to live off the food I catch, so I avoid going to the store where it’s all processed.”
If Phillips and the kids come to his house, will he help them?
“I take a bloody oath to reach out to him, feed him if he needs it, give him a blanket.
“If his kids are happy, why call the police?”
staff.co.jp
