The family of a man who has been in hiding for over three years in New Zealand with his three children is making their first public plea to him to come home. Tom Phillips fled with his kids, Ember, Maverick, and Jayda, after a dispute with their mother, despite not having legal custody of them.
Phillips’ sister, Rozzi Phillips, has spoken out in her first interview since his disappearance. She expressed her miss for her brother and the children, and hoped her public plea would reach him. She wished for her brother to know that it’s okay to come home and that they are waiting for him.
Rozzi also read out a letter from their mother, who expressed deep feelings of sadness and longing for her son and grandchildren. The children’s father is described as kind-hearted, skilled in the outdoors, and capable of survival.
The vast Waikato region where Phillips is believed to be hiding is known for its rugged terrain, including dense forests and cave networks. This has made it difficult for authorities to find him. Despite the challenge, police have been conducting a search for several years with little success, leading to speculation that someone in the community may be providing assistance.
However, there is no indication that Phillips’ family is helping him. His sister expressed mixed feelings about potential helpers, stating she would feel both relieved and angry if anyone is aiding him without keeping the family updated on their well-being.
Before his current disappearance, Phillips had been reported missing on a separate occasion in 2021, and he and his children returned after 19 days. In 2024, it was alleged that Phillips committed a bank robbery. Despite this, there have been very few sightings of
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/20/new-zealand-fugitive-tom-phillips-children-hiding-nearly-four-years
