Police suspect Tom Phillips and his three young children, who went bush eight months ago, may have started new lives somewhere else in the country.
(File photo) Clockwise from top left, Tom Phillips, Jayda Phillips, Ember Phillips and Maverick Phillips. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
They are widening the appeal for sightings in relation to Phillips and his children Jayda, aged 9, Maverick, 7, and Ember, 6.
A warrant was issued for Phillips in January after he failed to appear in court in relation to their disappearance last September, which sparked a three-week search.
Despite land and air searches and discussions with community members who spend time in Marokopa's extensive bush area, police had not found any sign of them, Waikato West area commander Inspector Will Loughrin said.
They're asking for sightings of a man and three school-aged children moving to a new community or travelling on intercity trains buses or ferries, reports of petrol, diesel, food or camping supplies disappearing, or three school-aged children who don't appear to be attending local schools.
"I want to acknowledge both the children's mother, and Tom's wider family who continue to be living with extreme stress and anxiety," Waikato West Area Commander Inspector Will Loughrin said.
Tom Phillips was seen by family on 10 January 2022 but failed to reappear in the Te Kuiti District Court on 12 January on a charge of making a false statement, police said.
He and the children were officially reported as missing by family members on 18 January.
In late January, police were made aware his ute had been left parked on Mangatoa Road near the Mangatoa Track.
On 9 February, Phillips returned to a family member's home in the middle of the night to take supplies but did not appear to have the children.
Since that time there have been multiple reports of sightings, most in the Waikato region. All were been followed up without success, police said.
"We are mindful the photos we have made public to date may now not accurately depict what Tom and the children look like," Loughrin said.
"When Tom Phillips was last seen by family in February, he had a beard and that alone will make him look considerably different than in the photos we have circu lated."
The children's appearance will have also changed since they were last seen by family in January.
"They will be taller; they will have either lost baby teeth or started to get their adult teeth and will likely be wearing their hair in different styles."
They could also be using different names, he said.
