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New photographs have emerged showing the campsite where Tom Phillips’ children were being holed up while their fugitive father made a desperate last stand in a shoot-out with police.

The police photos detailed the conditions the young children were forced to endure, painting a grim picture of their daily reality within rubbish and tarps.

Police found the two missing children yesterday afternoon at the site, which was stocked with firearms.

One of Phillips’ children was found earlier in the day as they were present at the stand-off, and they helped lead police to their siblings.

The Commissioner of Police said Phillips had not been camping at this site for any considerable time; instead, police believe he was moving around during the four years he spent on the run.

The photos supplied by police revealed details of the harsh conditions the young children were forced to live in.

A bright red quad bike is seen camouflaged with a green tarp draped over it.

New photographs reveal the campsite where Tom Phillips’ children were. Photo / NZ Police

Multiple wheels, a Jerry Can, multiple Sprite cans and large glass bottles are seen scattered within the site.

Mechanical parts are also pictured nestled within the native bush environment.

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Another image shows what looks to be a path carved near the site within the dense bushland.

New photographs reveal the campsite where Tom Phillips’ children were. Photo / NZ Police

Chambers said the campsite was “probably one of many” that Phillips would have used in the bush.

He could not say whether police had searched the exact location where the campsite was found. He said it is likely they had canvassed that area before.

“Over the past four years, we have covered this terrain, this region a lot,” Chambers said.

“It’s highly likely that we’ve been very, very close.”

New photographs reveal the campsite where Tom Phillips’ children were. Photo / NZ Police

Police were confident the campsite was not where Phillips had been spending “considerable time” while on the run, Chambers said.

“We believe they have been moving around. The terrain in this area is challenging. They’ve been on the move and they were deep in the bush, about 2 kilometres away from where the shooting occurred yesterday morning,” he said.

The area where the makeshift campsite was found would have made it “very easy to hide”, a local business and property owner told the Herald.

“It’s incredibly dense, dense bush. It’s all limestone country, and so there are very few open streams. It’s all kind of really broken terrain, so very, very easy to hide.

New photographs reveal the campsite where Tom Phillips’ children were. Photo / NZ Police

“We’ve got no idea where the place is. We’ve been looking for four years. We’re all wondering where on earth this place might be.

“[Based on police information], we imagine the campsite is 2km from the scene towards Marokopa. That would mean it could possibly be on the road reserve side of our property. But it’s such broken country, no one would know.”

 is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.