Wellington: New Zealand police have restarted efforts to find Tom Phillips and his three children missing for over three years.
Phillips disappeared in December 2021 with Ember (now 9), Maverick (10), and Jayda (11) after a dispute with their mother.
Authorities believe Phillips, who lacks legal custody, is hiding in the rugged Waikato region.
He is from Marokopa, a small coastal settlement of fewer than 100 people in the vast North Island area.
The police plan to search the remote settlements of Te Waitere and Te Maika for new leads.
Search Challenges
Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders stated the operation is a continuation of ongoing investigations, not prompted by sightings.
The Waikato region includes forests, coastline, farmland, limestone caves, and remote settlements, making searches difficult.
Marokopa’s isolation, with only one winding road in and out, has complicated law enforcement efforts.
The terrain’s remoteness has frustrated multiple attempts to locate Phillips and the children.
New Zealanders are puzzled by his ability to evade detection in such a close-knit country.
Prior Disappearances
Phillips vanished with his children before in September 2021, leaving his vehicle abandoned on a Marokopa beach.
After a major land and sea search, he returned 19 days later, saying he was camping to clear his mind.
Authorities charged him with wasting police resources before he disappeared again in December 2021.
When he missed a court hearing in January 2022, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Sightings of him and the children have been rare since then, with only fleeting reports.
Recent Developments
In November 2024, Phillips allegedly stole a quad bike and broke into a shop in Piopio.
CCTV footage from the incident showed two figures suspected to be Phillips and one of his children.
Mid-2023 saw an $80,000 reward offered for information, but the case went cold after several unverified sightings.
Police say Phillips avoids mainstream banks and social media, making him harder to track.
He has been seen purchasing camping gear and seedlings, suggesting he may be living off the land.
Possible Sightings
In October 2024, teenage pig hunters filmed an adult and three children walking through Marokopa farmland.
Authorities believe the footage captured Phillips and his missing children.
A police search the following day failed to locate them, despite efforts in the area.
Investigators remain determined to track Phillips and return the children to their mother, Cat.
She has repeatedly appealed to Phillips to surrender, expressing heartbreak over her children’s absence.
Public Assistance
Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to assist in locating the missing family.
Police remain committed to finding Phillips and ensuring the children’s safety.
Despite ongoing searches, Phillips’ survival skills and off-grid lifestyle make locating him difficult.
The investigation continues as police search for new leads in the remote Waikato region.
Further updates will follow as new information emerges.
