A man was shot and killed by police in the region of New Zealand where Tom Phillips, a father who has been evading capture with his three kids for nearly four years, has been hiding.

Police remain at the scene in Waitomo, in western Waikato, on Monday morning.

It’s understood that police were responding to a burglary at a commercial premises at about 2.30am when there was a confrontation.

A police officer was shot before another officer opened fire and shot the male suspect, who died at the scene.

Another person was taken into custody.

The injured officer was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.

Stuff has reported that Phillips allegedly earlier ram-raided the PGG Wrightson building in Piopio, triggering the incident in Waikato.

Ōtorohanga’s mayor, Max Baxter, suspects the shooting might be linked to Phillips after hearing various rumors about the police operation, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Police are yet to confirm the nature of the incident or those involved. 

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has advised the force that the officer ‘is conscious and talking to his fellow officers’. 

‘A significant police operation is underway,’ he said.

‘Police ask media and members of the public to respect the police operation and cordons that are now in place to ensure nobody is put at risk.’

Te Anga Road remains cordoned off between Waitomo and Marokopa.

‘This road closure is likely to be in place for a couple of days,’ Waitomo District Council posted online.

‘Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.’

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers is on her way to Waikato and is expected to give an update ‘as soon as possible’.

‘Further details will be provided as they become available,’ a police statement read.

Commissioner Chambers is currently attending the funeral of Victoria Police Detective Neal Thompson in Melbourne. Thompson, 59, was one of two officers killed in a shooting in Victoria’s high country on August 26. Commissioner Chambers is expected back in New Zealand later today.

Phillips disappeared from Marokopa, a rural town on New Zealand’s North Island, with his children Jayda, now 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9, following a custody conflict with their mother in December 2021.

They are believed to have lived in the wilderness ever since, despite numerous police search operations and a NZ$80,000 reward.

There have been several possible sightings in the last year.

Police have also released new video footage of Phillips and one of his children caught on a surveillance camera using an angle grinder to break into the Piopio Superette store.

The latest development is the strongest lead in a case that has gripped the country since Phillips vanished with his children.

It came days after Phillips’ family broke their silence for the first time in almost four years.

His mother Julia penned an emotional open letter to her missing son and grandchildren, which was read out by her daughter Rozzi in an emotional interview with Stuff journalist Paddy Gower on his weekly current affairs program. 

‘Tom – I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this,’ the letter began.

‘Not considering how much we love you and can support you.

‘It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here. Thinking what could have been if you had not gone away.

‘Jayda, Maverick, Ember – I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives.

‘Every day I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you will come home.’

His sister Rozzi also publicly pleaded for her brother to come out of hiding and assured him that the family will be there for him.