Tom Phillips and his three children have been missing since December 2021. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Tom Phillips and his three children have been missing for almost three years.
Ember, eight, Maverick, nine, and Jayda, 10, have been missing since December 2021, when they were taken by Phillips to an unknown location - though police believe it was in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas.
Police in June announced an $80,000 reward for information on the family that led to their location and safe return. That offer has since expired. A police helicopter spent time searching through the Marokopa area as officers work through tip-offs they have received.
Marokopa is west of Te Kūiti. Photo: Google Maps
Here's what's happened so far:
13 September 2021: Police receive a call reporting Tom Phillips and his three children missing for the first time. A search and rescue operation is launched.
14 September 2021: First public police appeal for information on Tom Phillips and the missing children.
24 September 2021: After 12 days of searching, police meet with Phillips family to discuss how the search will be managed going forward. Police say the daily searches will be suspended and will move to a 'reactive' phase.
30 September 2021: Police announce Tom Phillips and his children have all been located safe and well. It appeared they had gone camping.
12 October 2021: Police announce that a 34-year-old man has been charged with causing wasteful deployment of police resources in relation to the search for Tom Phillips and his children.
20 December 2021: Tom Phillips and his three children have again disappeared. Police confirm they are not currently in their family home, but no search is initiated.
12 January 2022: Tom Phillips fails to appear in court to face the charges of causing wasteful deployment of police resources , forcing a warrant for his arrest.
21 March 2022: Police believe Thomas Phillips briefly returned to family home.
21 April 2022: Police express frustration with the lack of information on location of Tom Phillips and his children and say they believe there are people who can provide information on his whereabouts.
26 August 2022: Police say they are still searching for Tom Phillips and his children.
8 December 2022: The family of the Phillips children announce a $10,000 reward for information that leads to their safe return.
3 August 2023: Police receive reports of a sighting of Tom Phillips in a 2003 Toyota Hilux ute. The children are not with him. This is the first confirmed sighting of Phillips since December 2021.
4 August 2023: Police confirm the ute was stolen. RNZ reports that members of the public set up a roadblock at the Kawhia Lookout on State Highway 31 in an attempt to catch Tom Phillips in the ute.
15 August 2023: Police say that purchases made by Tom Phillips suggest he is setting up camp somewhere.
5 September 2023: Police obtain warrant to arrest Tom Phillips after an armed robbery of bank in Te Kūiti in May.
Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders gives a briefing on missing Marokopa man Tom Phillips' arrest warrant on 6 September, 2023. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn
14 November 2023: Footage released by police allegedly shows Phillips, along with a child, trying to smash their way into a store in Piopio.
23 January 2024: Police believe Tom Phillips is still in the King Country, possibly even within Marokopa.
10 February 2024: Media reports look into the suggestion that Tom Phillips could be on or near his family farm.
11 June 2024: Police announced they are offering up to $80,000 for information that leads to the safe return of the Phillips children. The offer, which includes considering immunity against prosecution for anyone assisting Tom Phillips, lasts for two weeks.
19 June 2024: The mother of the Phillips children, Cat, breaks her silence and appealed to the public for help in returning them to her.
In a video provided by police she said: "They are just innocent children. They do not deserve to be treated this way. They do not deserve the life that is being provided to them right now."
She asked anyone with information to contact police.
5 October 2024: Police begin conducting fresh enquiries after a reported sighting by pig hunters of Phillips and his children near Marokopa on Thursday October 3. In a short conversation, the children are reported to have asked "who knows we're here?".
A video captured by hunters north of Awamarino showed a man followed by three children in wet-weather gear carrying camouflaged backpacks. The group could be seen trekking through rough, overgrown terrain before disappearing behind a hill.
9 October 2024: A private investigator who has been out searching the bush says it remains challenging for police to locate Phillips because he knows the terrain well and is being helped by people.