Killer Phillip John Smith escapes NZ

Police say prison absconder Phillip John Smith left New Zealand by plane for Chile travelling on a passport previously obtained in his birth name, Phillip John Traynor.

Mr Smith left last Thursday, November 6, the day he was temporarily released, under agreed supervision of a sponsor, from Springhill Prison.

A direct flight operates between Auckland and Santiago, Chile, daily at 4.15pm. It is a Lan Chile service, LA800, which codeshares with Qantas as QF321.

Relatives of his victims were outraged to learn the convicted murderer and child molester was allowed out overnight without any kind of tracking device.

NZ Police have this morning been advising Mr Smith's victims of this latest development in the investigation.

Corrections and Department of Internal Affairs have been working closely with NZ Police in order to assist them with the inquiry, Police say.

The circumstances of Mr Smith obtaining a passport, making arrangements to leave New Zealand, and who assisted in these actions, are the subject of a sustained and intense multi-agency investigation.

Police have, through Interpol, notified the Chilean authorities of Mr Smith’s criminal history, status and known identities.

Police will pursue all available avenues to return Mr Smith to New Zealand, where he would be likely to face further charges due to his absconding.

Corrections and Police are due to hold a joint press conference at 3pm to update on the situation.

Meantime, Labour's corrections spokeswoman Jacinda Ardern has told RNZ that it was "incomprehensible" that Smith may have been able to leave the country on a false passport.

"Clearly he wasn't properly monitored. That's obvious from the delay it took before Corrections was aware that he hadn't even made it to the home he was released to," she said.

"While the focus of police and other agencies needs to be on keeping the family of his victims safe - and on re-capturing Smith - the minister must order an immediate review into the circumstances that led to his escape. Checks that should have been made clearly weren't. That is totally unacceptable and will be of deep concern to most New Zealanders."