At the time, she said the inquiry would consider “whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the safety and welfare of the Phillips children.”

Justice Simon Moore, KC, was appointed as the sole member of the inquiry. He was given a report-back date of today, July 21, 2026. The inquiry has kept to that date.

Collins said at the time the “decision to establish a public inquiry reflects the significant public interest and concern for the children’s welfare over the almost four years they were missing”.

“It is important that we establish the facts and determine whether agencies could take steps to prevent or resolve similar situations more quickly and effectively in the future,” she said at the time.

Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.