MEDIAWATCH: Why are we allowing Julie Christie to influence a police investigation?
What the bloody hell is going on here?
Tom Phillips inquiry finds presence of Netflix doco crew may have impacted investigation
The public inquiry into the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his children has found that the presence of a documentary crew “may have had some impact” on the police investigation.
Phillips first disappeared with his three young children into the bush around Marokopa in September 2021, then again in December that year.
He remained missing for nearly four years before being fatally shot by police on September 8, 2025.
In March, Stuff revealed that police had opened up their investigation to a documentary crew to make a film for Netflix about the case.
Stuff
The more and more that comes out about the involvement of Trash TV Queen Julie Christie in this Netflix Tom Phillips Documentary, the bigger the questions get.
Her involvement had an impact on the investigation, and that is bewildering…
In the inquiry into Phillips’ disappearance released on Tuesday, the report stated that police entered into an agreement with Dame Julie Christie’s production company to make the documentary.
The report’s findings said the decision to involve the documentary was outside the scope of the inquiry, except to the extent it “may have had some impact on the steps police took to find and recover the children”.
It mentioned that the inquiry was “surprised” that police invited the documentary crew to document an investigation that relied on “sensitive operational technologies and specialist personnel” from both the police and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
“Officers the inquiry spoke to acknowledged that the presence of documentary cameras likely did have an effect on the way the investigation was conducted,” as well as a “chilling or limiting effect on the openness of police internal communications”.
It also said the presence of the documentary crew had a “logistical impact with covert or sensitive police resources” having to be “deployed away” from documentary cameras.
…so the Documentary had an impact on the investigation!
This after we find out that the Police Commissioner misled the country over involvement in Netflix doco…
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has revealed he was involved in the controversial Netflix Tom Phillips documentary from his first day in the top job.
Newly released emails also show that Chambers had a private meeting with the documentary makers, Dame Julie Christie and Karen Rutherford, in his office at the police HQ, in his first week in the role.
The emails, between Rutherford and Chambers, also reference Police Minister Mark Mitchell. He is described as a “friend” of Christie’s by Rutherford, who says they will be having their own meeting about the project.
Chambers’ day-one involvement in the project has remained undisclosed until now. Emails confirming it were omitted from a 300-page release of police documents last week – but he denies hiding anything.
…But he did hide it! That’s the problem!
It was omitted from the original documents – he’s been involved in this propaganda doco for Netflix since day one because Christie has connections inside the Police.
Why were the Commissioner’s emails omitted from public release?
The doco has been controversial because of the exclusive access police have given Christie and her production company, Natural History NZ – and because of concerns about police using its contractual rights to influence the narrative.
Chambers said his email exchange with Rutherford should have been in the tranche of documents released last Thursday.
He blamed the omission on an unidentified police staffer.
…Oh, it was an unidentified police staffer who omitted the detail that the Police Commissioner has been secretly working with Netflix?
Let’s be very clear about the timeline here — because this is where the story collapses:
- 20 November 2024: Chambers is publicly announced as police commissioner.
- 21 November 2024: Chambers receives an email from Rutherford which discusses the doco.
- 24 November 2024: Rutherford emails again to say she and Christie will be at the police HQ on November 28 to meet the police media team about the doco.
- 25 November 2024: Chambers’ official first day as Commissioner.
- 28 November 2024: Chambers meets Christie and Rutherford privately at the police HQ.
When the Police become the producers
That’s not an omission. That’s a narrative decision.
The NZ Police have a terrible record of shooting people in this country, anything that isn’t using that lens is promotional not critical.
Look how Rutherford tries to bully the cops…
The OIA also included messages between Clausen and Rutherford.
On 18 February 2025, Rutherford texted Clausen about a potential sighting of Phillips that had been reported.Clausen said there was “nothing to film”.
“We are needing to verify report which is looking like at the mo.”
Rutherford said it was a “real shame Juli”.
“The article indicates police have already been door knocking. So disappointing, we could have filmed. Please can we lock in a day to meet Andy, by the end of today? Netflix has already questioned why we weren’t told.”
In response, Clausen said “Karen – we don’t have a written agreement or obligation yet”.
“I think Netflix is your issue to manage at the moment. I will work really hard to make it up to u but I think we will need to set some really strong and clear lines to protect the investigation.”
…”Netflix has already questioned why we weren’t told”???
Are you fucking kidding, love?
Look.
There is a lot about this case that can’t be reported because of New Zealand Law.
So, can a Netflix release dodge New Zealand suppression orders?
Netflix is a global brand.
The question no one is asking about the Netflix Tom Phillips documentary is the obvious one: can a global release be squared with New Zealand suppression orders, or are we looking at one version for us and another for everyone else?
A New Zealand version that has those details omitted and a global version where she reveals it?
Who is she working for? The Police? Netflix? Fourth Estate journalism?
The unbelievable nature of those conversations open up enormous questions about all of this that can’t be glossed over.
The role of the Police in this doco is now untenable and there has to be a review of allowing this to go forward with so many conflicts of interest!
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Take her Damehood away—she ruined much of the media in NZ with her crappy reality shows, and now possible got in the way of a rescue mission
It is astounding that this has been allowed to get to the stage it has? Martyn’s last para, “The role of the Police in this doco is now untenable and there has to be a review of allowing this to go forward with so many conflicts of interest!” And his question, “Why were the Commissioner’s emails omitted from public release?” This whole saga was heart-breaking for the children, extended family, and Tom Phillips, with his deteriorating mental health! Much of the horror could have been avoided had the NZ Police done their job properly, earlier on. Easy to say, but in this case it has proved crucial! I would sincerely hope any doco is done with sensitivity and compassion!