Police Decline $5,000 Koha for Officer Injured in Fatal Marokopa Manhunt

New Zealand Police have declined a $5,000 koha raised for a constable shot during the 2025 Marokopa manhunt, citing anti-corruption and hospitality policies.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 6:10 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Ethical Policy Overrides Public Donation

The elder sisters of the Phillips children revealed this week that their attempt to provide financial support to a wounded officer was blocked by police leadership. The $5,000 donation was sourced from a Givealittle fund originally established in 2022 to aid the search for the three missing Marokopa children.

New Zealand Police stated that while they were "touched" by the gesture, the offer was declined to adhere to the organization's Gifts, Discounts, and Hospitality Policy. Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders explained that the policy is vital to prevent any public perception of a conflict of interest or "creating a precedent" for private citizens to pay individual officers.

The Shooting Incident: September 8, 2025

The officer in question was critically injured during the dramatic conclusion of the nearly four-year manhunt for Tom Phillips.

The Event: Phillips was fleeing a burglary in Piopio on a quadbike when his tires were spiked.