Missing family spotted in New Zealand after three years: police

A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm on the country's northwest coast, according to police.

Cell phone video taken last week by the farm owner's grandson appears to show New Zealander Tom Phillips and his children hiking past, equipped with backpacks and outdoor gear.

Phillips and the three children have been missing for nearly three years, according to a June press release that announced a NZ$80,000 ($67,131 CAD) reward for information leading to the children's safe return.

“The children have been missing since December 12, 2021, when they were taken to an unknown location by their father, Tom Phillips,” the release said. “Tom Phillips does not have custody of the children. He is wanted by the police and there is an arrest warrant for him.”

The Marakopa region is marked on this map of New Zealand (Google Maps).

The October 2024 footage was filmed from high ground some distance from the party, but police say the October 3 sighting was “credible” and police “believe it was in fact Tom and his children.”

After the sighting, police launched a multi-day search using two helicopters, but wrote in a news release Monday that “nothing else of significance was found.”

“This is the first time that all three children have been sighted, which is positive information and we know it will be reassuring to the children's entire family,” said Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders' statement.

With files from Storyful.

Ember Phillips is seen in this file photo (Photo credit: New Zealand Police Media Center)Maverick Phillips is seen in this file photo (Image source: New Zealand Police Media Center)