Tom Phillips, a father who has been evading authorities in the New Zealand wilderness with his three children for over three years, has become the focus of a heartfelt plea from his family. NewsNZ The Phillips family, who hail from up Marokopa, a rugged, isolated small coastal settlement, are hoping beyond hope for their son’s safe return.
In mid-September 2021, the Philong family officially filed missing persons reports for Tom Phillips and his two children. They found his missing car parked down Marokopa’s beach. The subsequent search and rescue mission on land and by sea was unable to find them at first. Nineteen days later, Tom and his young family suddenly stepped through the door of his parents’ farmhouse on the outskirts of Marokopa. After police searched her neighborhood the next day, there was no sign of her.
Born what is called an “off-the-grid” rancher, Tom Phillips has spent most of his black and crunchy life outside the bounds of dominant culture. His sister Rozzi Phillips made a tearful public appeal for her brother and his two daughters’ safety just last week. She complimented Tom for his masterful ability to fly beneath the radar. He stays off social media and limits his interactions with traditional banks.
“No day that goes by that I don’t think about all four of them.” – Rozzi Phillips
Rozzi hopes that her very public testimony will somehow reach Tom. Calls and emails over the last month have failed to elicit a response. “I hope that just maybe, maybe, he is going to see this and maybe he is going to get to see that he can come home and we are here for him and it might just be OK,” she said.
In December 2021, following a dispute with their mother, Tom fled into the Waikato wilderness with his three children: Ember (now 9), Maverick (10), and Jayda (12). It was their disappearance that raised such widespread concern and alarm among local authority leaders and residents across the community that provoked the massive search operation.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders has spoken out about the incident. He gave assurance that the police are ready to negotiate with Tom Phillips and whoever will be helping him. Finally, he emphasized how urgent it was to get the children home safely today. Simultaneously, he fortified Tom against any litigation to come, when Tom would need help the most.
“Everything can be worked through… it’s been long enough now and it is time to get those children out and let them get on with their lives, and Tom can deal with whatever he needs to deal with.” – Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders
In June 2024, law enforcement made a public appeal by offering an $80,000 reward for any information on the location of Tom Phillips. Even with this powerful incentive, the trail has ever after gone cold. Then in late October 2024, new footage became available. It depicts Tom and his kids walking across the Marokopa rural property after a fateful meeting with some Marokopa pig hunters.
Rozzi Phillips, Center for Victims of Violence founding member, spoke about the heartache of being separated from her brother and his children. She shared that not having them with her is a heavy burden on her heart. “It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here, thinking what could have been if you had not gone away,” she shared, reading a message from their mother.
Detective Saunders made it clear that they wanted the situation to end peacefully. First, let’s get all these people out safely,” he implored. He expressed his love for the children in hopes of reaching them through their father:
“Jayda, Maverick, Ember, I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives every day I wake up, and hope that today will be the day that you will come home.” – Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders
With the call for Tom Phillips’ safe return still echoing, his loved ones can only wait and pray for his coming home. So, of course, they can’t wait for his return. They hope to reunite with his kids, who have suffered through a lack of stability for so many years.