Tom Phillips and his three children Jayda, Maverick and Ember were reported missing from Marokopa by family on 18 January 2022. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
The investigation into the disappearance of the missing Marokopa family has been ramped up after a reported sighting of Tom Phillips, police say.
In a statement, Inspector Will Loughrin said police were notified of the potential sighting on Wednesday night.
"Tom and his three children Jayda, Maverick and Ember were reported missing from Marokopa by family on 18 January 2022.
"Yesterday evening police received reports of sightings of Tom in a brown/bronze 2003 Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute on State Highway 31 in the Kāwhia area.
"The children were not with him."
Police are appealing for sighting of this ute. Photo: Supplied / Police
Loughrin said police responded and made "numerous" inquiries in the area but Phillips was not found.
Officers would be in the area again today, speaking further with residents for the investigation.
Loughrin said police continue to appeal to anyone who may have information about the family to come forward.
"In particular, police are urgently seeking sightings of the ute.
"Our priority is, and has always been, working to locate Tom and the children to ensure their welfare, and we have continued to follow up on information reported to us where relevant."
Anyone with information, no matter how small it might be, was urged to come forward.
"If it is happening now, call 111 and quote file number 211218/5611."
While Phillips and his children were reported missing on 18 January 2022, it was not for the first time.
The report came after he failed to reappear in Te Kuiti District Court in relation to their first disappearance in September 2021, which had sparked an extensive search.
Police earlier said Phillips' second disappearance breached a parenting order and there was a warrant out for his arrest after he failed to appear in court.
He was also previously facing charges of wasteful deployment of police personnel and resources following the first search for the family.
In the first disappearance, Phillips and his children were not seen for about 20 days.
They were found "safe and well" and had been living in a tent in dense bush.
Earlier this year, a clinical psychologist told RNZ there was concern for the children's wellbeing.
"There's that huge question mark around what has been going on for these kids and this family," Dougal Sutherland said.
"How's the dad going? How's his mental state? And those are simply unknown questions, but potentially have big impacts on the kids."
Police will provide more information about the reported sighting at a briefing this afternoon.