The missing fugitive father and three children are spotted alive and well – three years after they disappeared without a trace

A grainy video filmed on New Zealand’s rugged west coast is the first ‘credible’ sighting of a father and his three children who disappeared years ago and are believed to have been living in the wilderness ever since.

Tom Phillips disappeared along with daughter Jayda, now 11, son Maverick, 9, and youngest daughter Ember, 8, from the New Zealand town of Marokopa in December 2021.

Since then, “hundreds” of Phillips sightings have been reported to police, mostly unverified, but none involving the children.

The latest video is the most credible of the sightings, and the children’s mother, Catherine, says she is elated and relieved to see all three of her “babies” alive.

The new footage, shot on October 3, showed four figures in camouflage clothing carrying heavy backpacks – one adult standing a few steps ahead of three children – walking single file across the rolling hills outside their former home of Marokopa in the North Island .

The video, filmed by pig hunters, was handed over to police, prompting a major search of farmland in the area this week. Unfortunately, this did not yield any sign of the group.

The children’s mother, who wants to be known only as Catherine, saw the video.

“I’m so happy they’re all here,” she told the New Zealand Herald.

‘I’m so relieved to see all three of my babies. They’re all alive.’

A father and three children who have not been seen for three years have been spotted on the west coast of New Zealand (pictured)

Thomas Phillips (pictured) has been on the run for two and a half years and continues to evade authorities

The investigation is ongoing, with New Zealand Police Detective Andrew Saunders confirming the sighting was being treated as ‘credible’.

“While nothing further of significance has been found, investigators will now review the information gathered to determine any next steps,” he said.

‘This is the first time all three children have been sighted, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring to the children’s wider family.’

The father and his three young children first went missing on September 11, 2021.

Police and emergency services, along with hundreds of volunteers and local residents, spent days searching for the family after Phillips’ ute was found below the high tide line at Kiritehere Beach.

About 18 days later, they returned to the family farm with relatives and revealed they had spent the time in a tent in dense bushland.

However, they disappeared again months later, with the last sighting of the father and his three children on December 9, 2021.

Phillips failed to show up in court weeks later in January 2022 on charges of causing a wasteful use of police personnel and resources, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He is now also wanted for questioning over an alleged armed robbery of a bank in Te Kuiti near Marokopa in September 2023.

The armed robbery prompted police to warn the public not to approach Phillips.

In June this year, an $80,000 reward was offered for information that could help locate the three children. However, this reward expired after eight weeks without results, despite more than forty observations considered important by officers.

Inspector Saunders said police believe he had assistance during his flight.

“Immunity from prosecution will be considered for anyone who has committed a criminal offense by assisting Tom Phillips, if he provides information or evidence leading to the location and safe return of the children,” he said in June.

Catherine previously accused Mr Phillips of endangering and robbing the children.

Catherine shared a photo of her and the three children celebrating eldest daughter Jayden’s birthday

“Ember, like me, is asthmatic and she needs medical care that cannot be provided from within the country,” she said.

‘Many of you say the children are doing well and being well cared for.

‘How do you know that? Have you seen them? Or is it just bush talk?

‘What Thomas is doing is not okay. It is not okay to divide and conquer, to isolate and control.

“It’s child neglect, it’s child neglect, it’s child abuse. My babies deserve better.”