RNZ asked residents in Ōtorohanga if they would turn someone in for a cash reward - here's what they had to say.
The question was prompted by the reward police announced this week for assistance in finding the Phillips family, who have been missing for two and a half years.
Armed police are out in the tiny King Country settlement of Marokopa as they hunt for the children of fugitive Tom Phillips.
Ember, eight, Maverick, nine, and Jayda, 10, have been missing since December 2021, when they were taken by their father to an unknown location.
Police cars and vans have been seen in and about the King Country town and checkpoints have also been set up.
While there has been plenty of tip-offs, police said, so far there has not been a breakthrough.
So what do residents of Ōtorohanga - about an hour from Marokopa - make of the situation? Would they cooperate in return for cash?
"No. I would give them up but I wouldn't want the reward," one senior citizen said.
She believed Phillips was doing something wrong and she would want to act on behalf of the children but was adamant she did not want the reward.
"If there definitely was a chance of danger, of criminal activity from them, yes I would," another woman said.
Another man was prepared to act as long as one of his family members was not involved and "the price is right".
Others disagreed.
One woman responded that it would depend on the situation, but as far as the Phillips family were concerned it was a definite 'No'.
"I wouldn't give them up for the world," she said.
Two young men agreed with her, one saying he would not do it for the reward.
"It's a lot of money but he's a good man I hear, and he's looking after those kids well."
The second man said: "It's not my thing, it's nothing to do with me, and if I'm going to win any money I'll try and do it on the Lotto ticket I suppose.
"You don't know what the consequences are going to be; ... I suppose $80,000 isn't so much when you've got someone looking for you afterwards."
