• Fugitive Marokopa man Tom Phillips is dead after a four-year manhunt ended in a police shoot-out this morning, police have confirmed.

• One of his children is helping police with inquiries while his two other children are yet to be located.

• Phillips was found on a quad bike with a child after a burglary at a farm store in Piopio.

• Phillips has been on the run since December 2021, when he disappeared with his three children from their family farm in Marokopa. Jayda, Maverick and Ember were 8, 7 and 5 when they went into hiding. They are now 12, 10 and 9.

• The children's mother said today that "they have been dearly missed every day for nearly four years, and we are looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care".

• The last believed sighting of the runaway dad before today was the end of August during a separate suspected burglary. 

• The fugitive father is accused of committing a string of serious criminal offences while at large.

• A police cordon has been set up on Te Anga Rd, between Waitomo and Marokopa. The road has been closed 1km from where a major police operation is currently underway.

WATCH ABOVE