According to police, a significant search was initiated after a “credible sighting” of Tom Phillips and his two daughters and son.
On the North Island of the country, close to Marokopa, they were spotted trekking through a bush region.
According to local media, a 16-year-old pig hunter spotted Phillips, Jayda, 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8, from a distance.
Large camping backpacks and camouflage clothing were on them, and the father, who is on the run, was allegedly seen with a revolver.
According to authorities, Phillips took his kids to a “unknown location” in December 2021, which is when the foursome went missing.
The children’s mother Cat claimed she was pleased by the sighting but also “overwhelmed” – as she urged on Phillips to give himself in to the police.
“It doesn’t get any easier,” she stated to the New Zealand Herald newspaper. Almost three years have passed.
It was like Christmas came early, and I genuinely thought they would be returning home this time.
