Exclusive: Missing People in the Waikato: Not Just Tom Phillips
Tom Phillips and his three children have become the face of missing persons cases in New Zealand, but they represent only a fraction of those unaccounted for in the Waikato region. According to recent data obtained by the Waikato Times through an Official Information Act request, 40 individuals are currently listed as missing in Waikato. This figure places the region third nationwide in missing persons statistics, behind only Bay of Plenty with 60 cases and Wellington with 46.
The Waikato's missing span a wide age range, from an 11-week-old infant to a 74-year-old adult, reflecting the diverse nature of these cases. On a national scale, 551 people are categorised as missing across New Zealand, with 490 of those considered long-term cases, having been unaccounted for over three months.
Daniel Toresen, a veteran private investigator with 35 years of experience, provides insight into these cases, describing the Tom Phillips situation as exceptional. "Most people are findable," Toresen states, explaining that Phillips has likely managed to stay off typical databases and is probably receiving support from others, which complicates search efforts.
Toresen outlines the typical process for locating missing individuals, which includes database searches covering records such as power, rent, and post; in-depth interviews with friends, whānau, and associates; social media analysis; and traditional investigative techniques like neighbourhood canvassing. While private investigators have access to numerous databases, police investigations can also utilise bank and mobile phone records in their searches.
In Hamilton City, the missing persons landscape is particularly active, with an average of 5-10 new reports filed daily. Most of these cases involve young people briefly absconding from care, and a dedicated "Case Risk Management" team actively investigates all incidents. To provide broader context, New Zealand's oldest missing persons case dates back to 1914, involving two climbers who vanished on Aoraki Mount Cook.
Toresen notes that people go missing for various reasons, with debt and family issues being common motivators. The $80,000 reward offered in the Phillips case presents its own challenges. While intended to generate leads, Toresen warns it could become a "logistical nightmare" for police, potentially inundating them with false or low-quality tips.
Despite the complexities surrounding missing persons cases, Toresen remains optimistic about resolving most of them. He emphasises that for individuals like Phillips, who has managed to evade detection for an extended period, it often comes down to a small slip-up or stroke of "bad luck" that leads to their discovery. The investigator's insights underscore the delicate balance between persistence, methodology, and chance in the challenging mahi of locating missing persons.
