A man has been shot dead by police in the New Zealand region where fugitive father Tom Phillips has been on the run with his three children for almost four years.

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 mayor Max Baxter is ‘getting the feeling’ the incident was related to Phillips after hearing ‘all sorts of rumours’ about the operation, the New Zealand Herald reported.

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

A man has been shot dead by police in the New Zealand region where fugitive father Tom Phillips (pictured) remains on the run

The fugitive dad has been on the run with his children Ember, Maverick and Jayda (pictured) for almost four years

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.

Police recently released CCTV of fugitive New Zealand father Tom Phillips and one of his children stealing items from a general store in the Waikato region

Cat hasn’t seen her missing children since December 2021

Commissioner Chambers is currently in Melbourne for the funeral of Victoria Police Detective Neal Thompson, 59, one of two officers fatally shot in the state’s high country on August 26. He will return to New Zealand later on Monday.

Phillips vanished from the rural town of Marokopa on New Zealand’s North Island in December 2021 with Jayda, now 12, Maverick, ten, and Ember, nine following a custody dispute with their mother.

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 recently released fresh footage of Phillips and one of his children captured on CCTV using an angle grinder to break into the Piopio Superette general 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.

The latest development came almost a year after a ‘credible’ sighting of Tom Phillips and his children in bushland west of Marokopa last October

‘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.