New photos and video captured this morning reveal the conditions fugitive Tom Phillips and his three children have been living in, surprisingly close to a main road. 

The Herald has gained first, exclusive media access to one of Phillips’ main hideouts after police removed the cordon last night. It was, remarkably, only a twenty-minute walk from the main road, and barely twenty seconds from a service vehicle track. 

Police have been at the site since Phillips died at nearby Te Anga Rd on Monday. 

Police have now left the campsite where Phillips was living with his kids. Photo / George Heard 

Phillips was killed in the early hours of Monday after entering into a shootout with police, during which he critically injured an officer. 

The standoff brought to a close a four-year ordeal that gripped the attention of the nation and made headlines around the world, after Phillips abducted his three children in 2021 and took them into hiding in the wilderness. 

Many details of the case cannot yet be reported due to significant court orders. 

Tom Phillips. Photo / Supplied 

Jayda, 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, 9, are in Oranga Tamariki (OT) custody after being rescued on Monday. 

This morning the Herald was able to visit the site - which looks dramatically different from the photos police released earlier this week. 

Officers in charge of the investigation earlier described the living conditions at the camp as “grim”. 

Police provided pictures of the campsite where Tom Phillips was living at with his children. Photo / NZ Police 

The bush around the site has now been whacked back. 

The surrounding bush is quiet apart from the odd car driving on the road nearby. 

A stream at the bottom of the valley and birdsong are the only sounds. 

The terrain is mucky, steep and slippery. The fern trees around the site are incredibly damp and sodden, some rotting. 

A track leading to the campsite where Phillips was living with his kids. Photo / George Heard 

A path has been well-worn, through the site. The whole area covers about 50sq m. 

Police have been combing through the site since finding it earlier this week. Boot marks can be seen throughout the site, and large holes appear to have recently been dug. 

Some trees have been blazed, leaving marks for anyone to trace their steps through the disorientating and isolating bush. 

The campsite where Phillips was living with his kids. Photo / George Heard 

Police have removed items and makeshift structures visible in photos they released to the public earlier in the week. A piece of wire remains. 

It still remains clear that the paths through the site were well-used, and different trees had been used for makeshift bivouacs and other shelters. 

A track leading to the campsite where Phillips was living with his kids. Photo / George Heard 

Phillips’ body was released to his family earlier this week following a postmortem examination. 

His death has been referred to the coroner. 

Multiple investigations are ongoing for police and the IPCA in relation to Phillips’ actions and death.