Fugitive father filmed with children in New Zealand wilderness three years after disappearing

Recently, a group of teenage pig hunters captured video footage of Tom Phillips alongside his three children—Ember, Maverick, and Jayda—while they traversed the challenging terrain of the Waikato region in New Zealand. This sighting marks the first time the family has been seen together in almost three years.

Phillips fled the area in December 2021 after a dispute with the children’s mother, disappearing into the wilderness with his kids. Since that time, he has largely evaded authorities, with only a few reported sightings, including one last November, where he allegedly stole a quad bike and was spotted attempting to break into a store in Piopio.

A significant breakthrough occurred last Thursday when the teenage hunters unexpectedly came across Phillips and his children on Marokopa farmland. Thrilled by the encounter, the young hunters grabbed their phones to document the moment, capturing the family dressed in camouflage.

Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders confirmed the sighting and characterized it as credible, emphasizing that law enforcement is actively searching for the family. “Our priority is the safe return of Jayda, Maverick, and Ember to their whānau, and we are fully committed to making that happen,” he affirmed.

In September 2021, a major search operation was initiated after Phillips and the children were reported missing, leading to their brief reappearance 19 days later at Phillips’s parents’ farmhouse. Unfortunately, the family went missing again, prompting an arrest warrant for Phillips after he failed to appear in court earlier this year.

The children’s mother expressed her relief upon hearing they were alive, saying, “I’m so happy that they’re all there. I instantly recognized each child. I’m incredibly relieved to see all three of my babies. They’re all alive.”

Julia, Phillips’s mother, echoed her daughter’s feelings, sharing her happiness about the children’s well-being. “We were relieved to see them alive and well. We always hoped for that, but you never know,” she added.

John McOviney, the grandfather of one of the pig hunters, recounted the encounter. He explained that the teenagers were “only about 50 meters” away when they first spotted Phillips and his children. They approached, asked Phillips questions, and discovered that the group was the only ones who knew of their location.

The teenagers described Phillips as having a long beard and carrying a gun, noting that the children were masked, suggesting they were preparing for an extended stay in the bush.

In September 2023, a warrant for Phillips’s arrest was issued in connection with an alleged aggravated robbery at a bank, where he and another armed individual reportedly demanded cash. Additionally, in June, New Zealand police announced an $80,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of the three children, although that offer expired before they were found.

Law enforcement officials believe that Phillips and the children may have received assistance during their time in hiding and are urging anyone with information to come forward.