Tom Phillips and his children Jayda, Maverick and Ember were last seen together almost three years ago. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Waikato police are still investigating the "credible sighting" of fugitive Marokopa father Tom Phillips and his children.
Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said they were continuing to make enquiries after a sighting of Phillips and his children was reported on 3 October.
The tip-off that Phillips had been seen in bush area west of Coutts Road in Marokopa with Jayda, Maverick and Ember came about 7pm on Thursday.
A Google maps screenshot showing the location of a sighting of fugitive Marokopa father Tom Phillips and his children Jayda, Maverick and Ember in October 2024. Photo: Google Maps
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Until Thursday, Phillips and his three children Jayda, now 11, Maverick, nine, and Ember, eight, had not been seen together since 12 December 2021.
"Our enquiries have established that this was a credible sighting, and police believe it was indeed Tom and his children," Saunders said.
On Saturday, a private investigator looking into the family's disappearance told RNZ they had been spotted by a group of pig hunters on Thursday.
Chris Budge said his local contact told him the tip-off came from a group of pig hunters but he did not state their age, or where they were from.
"He'd heard through the local, I'll call it the rumour network, that Tom had been seen by some pig hunters on Thursday and the police were dealing with it on Friday."
Police said officers were dispatched to the Marokopa area that night and searched for the next three days.
Part of the search phase included air support from the Police Eagle helicopter and a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter, but "nothing of significance" was found, he said.
Thursday's sighting was the first time all three children had been seen in almost three years.
"[This is] positive information, and we know it will be reassuring for the children's wider family.
"Police continue to urge those in the Marokopa community to remain alert and report any suspicious activity, no matter how minor, to us."
In June, police announced an $80,000 reward, along with potential immunity from prosecution for anyone who may have previously assisted Phillips, who now provided information that led to the safe return of the children.
It expired at midnight on 25 June with no sign of the fugitive father or his kids.