Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police

Share

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

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

Philips and the three children have been missing for close to three years, according to a June press release announcing an NZ$80,000 (C$67,131) .

"The children have been missing since 12 December 2021, when they were taken by their father, Tom Phillips, to a location unknown," the release reads. "Tom Phillips does not have legal custody of the children. He is sought by Police and there is a warrant for his arrest."

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

The October 2024 footage was filmed from high ground, some distance away from the party, but and that police "believe it was indeed Tom and his children."

Following the sighting, police launched a multi-day search using a pair of helicopters, but wrote in a Monday press release that "nothing further of significance was located."

"This is the first time all three of the children have been sighted, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring for the children’s wider family," reads the statement attributed to Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders.

With files from Storyful.

Ember Philips is shown in this file photo (Image credit: New Zealand Police Media Centre) Maverick Philips is shown in this file photo (Image Credit: New Zealand Police Media Centre)
Jayda Philips is shown in this file photo (Image credit: New Zealand Police Media Centre)

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Two sisters from Ontario travelled to Newfoundland to spend time with their mom after they learned she lost $20,000 to a romance scam.

opinion

opinion What are the best ways to boost your income in Canada?

Whether you're looking to pay off debt, save for a big purchase, or simply give yourself greater financial stability, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew shares some of the best ways to boost your income.

Local Spotlight

There was an eye-catching mix of rainbows and lightning over Vancouver following a brief downpour this week.

Jeff Warner from Aidie Creek Gardens in the northern Ontario community of Englehart has a passion for growing big pumpkins and his effort is paying off in more ways than one.

Saskatchewan’s Jessica Campbell has made hockey history, becoming the first ever female assistant coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Have you ever seen videos of hovercrafts online or on TV and thought, 'Wow, I wish I could ride one of those.' One Alberta man did, and then built his own.

A B.C. couple is getting desperate – and creative – in their search for their missing dog.

Videos of a meteor streaking across the skies of southern Ontario have surfaced and small bits of the outer space rock may have made it to land, one astronomy professor says.

A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.

Bernie Hicks, known as the ‘Batman of Amherst,’ always wanted to sit in a Batmobile until a kind stranger made it happen.

Bubi’s Awesome Eats, located on University Ave West took to social media to announce the closure on Friday.