When Phillip John Smith left a Waikato prison on approved temporary leave in 2014 no one suspected that within days he would be leading authorities on an international man hunt.

Smith, also known as Phillip John Traynor, was meant to spend his time outside the wire at an address in Auckland with a sponsor.

The leave was part of a plan to reintegrate the convicted killer and sex offender back into the community.

But instead of going to the address in Auckland he made his way to the airport and boarded a plane to South America.

Smith's plan was to never return to New Zealand.

However a chance sighting lead authorities right to him at a backpackers in Brazil.

Smith  was jailed for life for murdering the father of a young boy he'd been convicted of sexually abusing.

So how did he get a passport?

How did he get past border authorities?

And how was he captured in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world?

Herald podcast A Moment In Crime goes back to Smith's escape and explains just how police tracked him down and hauled him back to New Zealand.

READ MORE HERE:

Phillip Smith's long history of terrifying and abusive behaviour

Great Escape: How a murderer almost got away

SEXUAL HARM - DO YOU NEED HELP?

If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.​

If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone contact the Safe to Talk confidential crisis helpline on:

Text 4334 and they will respond

Email support@safetotalk.nz

Visit https://safetotalk.nz/contact-us/ for an online chat

Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.

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