Tom Phillips Photo: Supplied / Police
The body of fugitive Tom Phillips has been released to his family, and multiple campsites believed to be used by Phillips have been examined over the past few days.
Phillips died in an exchange of gunfire with police in the early hours of Monday, after reports of a burglary in the Waikato town of Piopio.
A constable was critically injured and remains in Waikato hospital after multiple surgeries.
One of Phillips' children was taken into custody following the shooting, and the others were found at a campsite later that day in the rugged terrain of western Waikato.
A second campsite was discovered, about 200 meters from the first site.
Detective Inspector Daryl Smith said in statement on Thursday that they had been examining multiple campsites since the shooting on Monday.
"Police staff have spent the last three days canvassing the area, traversing some extremely difficult terrain, in dense bush," he said.
"An examination of the located sites is continuing today and is expected to be completed tomorrow."
Smith said a postmortem was carried out on Phillips on Wednesday, and his body has now been released to his family.
His death has been referred to the coroner.
A scene guard will remain in place overnight at the site of the crossfire, as well as cordons along Te Anga Road. Extra police staff deployed to the Marokopa and King Country areas will also remain in the district.
Cordons will be placed to ensure access to the local school on Friday.
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