In the rugged wilderness of New Zealand’s Waikato region, a story of disappearance, survival, and desperation has captivated the nation for nearly four years. Tom Phillips, a skilled hunter and outdoorsman, vanished into the dense bush with his three young children in December 2021, sparking one of the country’s most perplexing missing persons cases.
As of August 2025, Phillips and his children—Jayda, now 12; Maverick, 10; and Ember, 9—remain unaccounted for, despite extensive searches, public appeals, and occasional sightings. What began as a possible family camping trip has evolved into a tale involving alleged crimes, family heartache, and questions about a father’s extreme measures to keep his children away from authorities and societal norms.
The Mysterious Disappearances: From First Vanishing to Permanent Flight
The saga of Tom Phillips and his children began not with their final disappearance in 2021, but with an earlier incident that foreshadowed the drama to come. In September 2021, Phillips, then living in the small rural community of Marokopa in the Waikato district, took his children—Jayda, aged 8; Maverick, 6; and Ember, 5—on what appeared to be an impromptu wilderness excursion.
On September 11, the family was last seen at their farm in Marokopa, a isolated area known for its dense forests, steep terrain, and limited access roads. Two days later, their Toyota Hilux ute was discovered abandoned on Kiritehere Beach, partially submerged in the waves with the keys hidden under the driver’s mat. This discovery triggered alarm bells, as it suggested a possible tragic accident at sea.
New Zealand Police launched an immediate and comprehensive search operation, deploying helicopters, planes, jet skis, inflatable rescue boats, and heat-detecting drones. The effort disrupted local activities, including whitebait fishing, as a rāhui—a traditional Māori restriction—was placed on the area to aid the search. Costs quickly mounted into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, with daily operations continuing until September 24.
By then, authorities had shifted from rescue to recovery mode, fearing the family had been swept away by the ocean currents. However, on September 30, Phillips and the children reappeared, spotted riding a quad bike on Mangatoa Road before returning to their farm. They had been camping about 15 kilometers inland, surviving off the land in a makeshift setup. Phillips explained it as a family adventure, but police were unimpressed, charging him with wasting police resources. His court appearance was scheduled for November 5, later postponed to January 12, 2022, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
This first disappearance, lasting 19 days, revealed Phillips’ deep knowledge of the bush. A generational farmer in the Marokopa area, he was described by locals as a capable survivalist, proficient in hunting, camping, and navigating the challenging landscape. He had been separated from his wife, Catherine (often called Cat), for several years and was homeschooling the children on their family property.
Tensions reportedly existed over custody and lifestyle choices, with Phillips favoring a reclusive, off-grid existence. The incident might have been dismissed as a one-off if not for what followed. On December 9, 2021, just before Christmas, Phillips vanished again with the children. This time, there was no immediate panic; Phillips had informed family members of his plans for another camping trip, and police initially saw no violation of court orders.
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However, when he failed to appear in court on January 12, 2022, an arrest warrant was issued. His ute was found abandoned on Mangatoa Road in late January, hinting at a deliberate evasion. In a brief return on February 9, 2022, Phillips visited the family home for supplies, assuring relatives that the children were safe but refusing to reveal their location. By then, he had grown a beard, signaling a commitment to staying hidden.
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Unlike the first event, this disappearance felt permanent. Police believed Phillips had taken the children deep into the western Waikato wilderness, possibly within or near Marokopa, following a dispute with Catherine. The area, characterized by thick native bush, caves, and rivers, provided ideal cover for someone with Phillips’ skills.
Early appeals for information yielded little, and while the children’s maternal family considered organizing a private search in June 2022, it was called off amid police concerns about safety and interference. This phase marked the transition from a missing persons case to one of active fugitives, with Phillips now wanted for breaching court obligations.
Criminal Allegations and Elusive Sightings
As months turned into years, the case took darker turns with allegations of criminal activity that painted Phillips as more than just a wayward father. In May 2023, authorities charged him in absentia with aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of firearms after an incident at a bank in Te Kūiti, a town near Marokopa.
According to reports, Phillips allegedly entered the bank armed, demanding money, and was accompanied by an unidentified accomplice whose build suggested it could be one of his older children. During the getaway, he reportedly fired shots at a pursuing supermarket worker, escalating the charges. This event shifted public perception, transforming Phillips from a protective parent into a potentially dangerous fugitive.
Further allegations emerged in August 2023 when Phillips was accused of stealing a Toyota Hilux ute on August 2. The vehicle was recovered near Te Anga two days later, prompting a heavy police response, including armed officers swarming Marokopa. These incidents suggested Phillips was venturing out from his hiding spots for necessities, risking exposure to sustain his off-grid life. Police speculated that he and the children were living in tents or makeshift shelters, hunting for food like pigs and goats, and relying on Phillips’ bushcraft expertise to evade detection.
Sightings have been rare but tantalizing, fueling hope and frustration. Early reports in May 2022 of possible glimpses were dismissed by investigators as unreliable. The most significant breakthrough came on October 3, 2024, when three pig hunters encountered Phillips and all three children walking through farmland in Marokopa.
The hunters captured video footage showing the group in camouflage clothing, carrying backpacks, and appearing healthy but wary. Phillips was armed with a gun, which deterred the hunters from approaching; instead, they alerted police. This was the first confirmed sighting of the children since their disappearance, confirming they were alive and together. A subsequent three-day search involving a military helicopter scoured the area but found “nothing further of significance.”
These glimpses underscore the challenges of the terrain. The Waikato wilderness is vast and unforgiving, with limited cell coverage, unpredictable weather, and natural barriers that make large-scale searches inefficient. Phillips’ familiarity with the land—honed from years of farming and hunting—gives him a significant advantage.
Experts believe the family could be moving between campsites, using caves for shelter, and avoiding trails to minimize tracks. The October 2024 sighting, while encouraging, also highlighted the children’s adaptation to this lifestyle; they appeared comfortable in the bush, raising concerns about their long-term well-being, education, and socialization.
Ongoing Searches, Family Pleas, and the Unresolved Mystery
Despite the passage of time, efforts to locate Phillips and the children have not waned. In June 2024, police announced an $80,000 reward for information leading to the children’s safe return, valid for two weeks, and offered immunity to anyone who had assisted Phillips if they came forward. This prompted about 50 credible tips and led to checkpoints around Marokopa, where officers questioned locals and travelers. On Jayda’s 11th birthday that month, Catherine released a heartfelt video pleading for public help, emphasizing the emotional toll on the extended family.
Renewed operations continued into 2025. In March 2025, police launched another major hunt, deploying additional resources in response to ongoing intelligence. By August 2025, the focus shifted toward negotiation, with authorities publicly stating they were open to discussions with Phillips to ensure the children’s safety. This approach reflects a growing recognition that force might not resolve the situation, given Phillips’ armed status and the risks to the children.
The family’s anguish has become increasingly public. In August 2025, Phillips’ relatives broke their silence after years of restraint. His mother penned an open letter to her son and grandchildren, expressing daily hope for their return and the pain of separation.
She described waking each morning with the wish that today would be the day they come home, acknowledging the “hurt” caused by the prolonged absence. Phillips’ sister also spoke out, sharing the family’s desperation and urging him to surrender for the children’s sake. Catherine, the children’s mother, has consistently voiced her worry, highlighting how the kids have missed out on normal childhood experiences like school, friends, and family gatherings.
As of August 2025, the mystery endures. Theories abound: some view Phillips as a devoted father shielding his children from a broken system, while others see him as a selfish fugitive endangering their lives. Health concerns loom large—the children, now preteens, may lack medical care, vaccinations, and formal education.
The case has cost taxpayers dearly, with searches tallying millions, yet resolution seems distant. Police maintain that Phillips is likely still in the Waikato area, surviving through ingenuity and caution. The family’s pleas underscore a human element amid the wilderness drama: a longing for reunion and closure.
In conclusion, Tom Phillips’ disappearance with his children remains one of New Zealand’s most enduring enigmas. Four years on, the wilderness holds its secrets, but the hope persists that Jayda, Maverick, and Ember will one day return safely. Until then, the nation watches, waits, and wonders what drives a man to vanish so completely.