c3v37ye0l0ro (GIF Image, 1 × 1 pixels)
Police believe this CCTV footage captured Tom Phillips with one of his children attempting to break into a store in Piopio, in the Waitomo region
The family of a father who vanished with his three children into New Zealand's wilderness almost four years ago have pleaded for him to come home.
A national search has been ongoing for Tom Phillips since he took Ember, nine, Maverick, 10, and Jayda, 12, away from their family home in December 2021 after a dispute with their mother.
They were seen in public for the first time since vanishing last October, when a group of teenagers spotted them trekking through the bush and filmed the encounter.
For the first time since their disappearance, Mr Phillips' family have directly appealed to him, with his mother writing: "Everyday I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you all come home."
"There's a lot of love and there's a lot of support, and we're ready to help you walk through what you need to walk through," his sister, Rozzi Phillips, told New Zealand news site Stuff in an exclusive interview.
"I miss you, and I miss being part of your life, and I really want to see you and the kids and be part of your lives again."
Ms Phillips said her brother was a capable builder who she believed would have built a hut or "nest" in the bush as shelter.
She also provided Stuff with a handwritten note from their mother, Julia, which reads: "Tom - I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this. Not considering how much we love you and can support you. It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here."
"Jayda, Maverick, Ember - I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives." NZ Police
Phillips does not have legal custody of his children
Police believe Mr Phillips and his children have been hiding and camping in the North Island's western Waikato region and last year posted an NZ$80,000 (£37,200) reward for information on their whereabouts.
There have been occasional sightings of the family, including in October when a group of teenage pig hunters who had been trekking through an untamed area of Marokopa - a tiny coastal community where Mr Phillips hails from - spotted them and filmed the encounter on their phones.
In the video, Tom Phillips can be seen leading his children through the rugged terrain. They are all wearing camouflaged clothing.
New Zealand media reported the teenagers had briefly spoken to one of their children - asking if anyone knew they were there. The child had replied "only you" and kept walking, the father of one of the teenagers told New Zealand's 1News.
The teenagers reported that Mr Phillips had been carrying a gun and had a long beard while the children were masked and carrying their own packs.
New Zealand Police described the sighting as "credible". That prompted an unsuccessful three-day search involving police and army helicopters.
Last year, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr Phillips over his suspected involvement in a bank robbery in Te Kuiti, a small town on the North Island.
Police said he had an accomplice during the alleged incident, and cautioned the public against approaching him as he was probably armed.
Police have said they believe Mr Phillips is being helped in his evasion of the law by other parties. Fugitive father seen with children in NZ wilderness for first time in years
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Husband of mum killed by falling tree branch pays emotional tribute to ‘love of my life'
THE husband of a woman killed by a falling tree branch has paid tribute to the "love of my life". Wasim Kauser described his wife as the "most beautiful woman in the world" and his "one and only". 4 4 4 Madia Kauser, 32, tragically died after reportedly pushed her five-year-old daughter out of the way of the falling branch on August 11. The couple and their two children had been out on a walk in Witton Country Park, Blackburn, Lancashire, when the beech tree branch fell. Her husband, Wasim, 32, has since delivered a touching tribute. Mr Kauser said in a tribute issued by police: "My wife, a mother-of-two, a daughter, sister and a friend we lost to a tragic event that came on the way home from a family day out in the park. "She was the most beautiful woman in the world, she did everything for our two children, she did everything she could for anyone and would bring smiles whenever she entered the room. "She was my comfort, my partner in life and the love of my life. "We have so many great memories, went through pain together and started a family together. "Honestly, I feel completely lost without her and I do not know how to put into words how much I miss her face, her character and her presence. My one and only." Their daughter was reportedly in a push chair which Madia managed to shove out of the way, saving the child's life. Wasim was playing football with the pair's nine-year-old son nearby. He previously told The Sun about how he desperately tried to save his wife as she took her last few breaths. Wasim said: "I was playing football with my son and kicked the ball in the wrong direction and we were going after it. "I heard a crack and the tree just came down. There was no wind, nothing. "She was hit by a branch but it had the full weight of the tree behind it and that is why the council had to cut it all down. "I rushed to her. I tried to save her, she was still breathing." Paramedics and doctors from the local hospital rushed to the scene but nothing could be done to save her. Wasim added: "I cannot praise the paramedics enough. They were there in six minutes and the doctors came from the local hospital but nothing could be done. "I have spoken to someone at the coroners office and they tell me she had chest fractures and her lungs had collapsed. "The tree she was hit by was standing straight not even leaning and then it just came down. "She has left us. Now there is just me and my children." Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has since removed the remainder of the tree, as well as trimming back nearby tree branches. A Lancashire Police spokesman said Madia's death was not being treated as suspicious and a file would be prepared for the coroner. Police are carrying out a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive, and have appealed for witnesses. 4
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Father who desperately tried to save his wife when she was crushed by a falling tree branch as they walked through park pays tribute - as police urge witnesses to come forward
A heartbroken husband has described his wife as the 'most beautiful woman in the world' after she was killed by a falling tree branch during a family day out at a park. Madia Kauser, 32, from Blackburn, had been walking with her five-year-old daughter, nine-year-old son and husband at a local beauty spot when a branch fell towards them. The mother had been pushing her daughter in a pram, and in a final desperate act she was able to push her daughter to safety before taking the full force of the branch. Her husband, Wasim Khan, 33, was just yards ahead with their nine-year-old son when the branch fell, but was powerless to act in time during the shocking episode in Witton Country Park at around 8.30pm on Monday, August 11. He rushed to her side, but little could be done for his tragic wife, who relatives say adored her children. Mr Khan has today spoken of his devastating loss and how he 'she was my comfort, my partner in life and the love of my life'. He said: 'My wife, a mother of two, a daughter, sister and a friend we lost to a tragic event that came on the way home from a family day out in the park. 'She was the most beautiful woman in the world, she did everything for our two children, she did everything she could for anyone and would bring smiles whenever she entered the room. 'She was my comfort, my partner in life and the love of my life. We have so many great memories, went through pain together and started a family together. 'Honestly, I feel completely lost without her and I do not know how to put into words how much I miss her face, her character and her presence. My one and only.' Mr Khan was playing football just yards ahead with the couple's nine-year-old son when the branch fell. Speaking of the moment he battled to save his wife as she lay injured, he said: 'I rushed to her. I tried to save her, she was still breathing.' He also revealed his wife's haunting last post on Snapchat - a picture of a tree which she had taken while they were leaving the park. Describing how the tragedy unfolded, Mr Khan said: 'I was playing football with my son and kicked the ball in the wrong direction and we were going after it. 'I heard a crack and the tree just came down. There was no wind, nothing. The tree was standing straight, not even leaning, and then it just came down. 'She was hit by a branch but it had the full weight of the tree behind it and that is why the council had to cut it all down. Speaking of the moment he battled to save his wife as she lay injured, Mr Khan said: 'I rushed to her. I tried to save her, she was still breathing.' 'I rushed to her. I tried to save her - she was still breathing.' Mr Khan called emergency services, who rushed to the scene but were unable to save his wife. He went on: 'I cannot praise the paramedics enough. They were there in six minutes and the doctors came from the local hospital but nothing could be done. 'I have spoken to someone at the coroners office and they tell me she had chest fractures and her lungs had collapsed. He added: 'She was the most beautiful and loyal person you would ever wish to meet. She was loved by many but especially by her children. We are left here without her.' And he added: 'The last picture she took was of a tree. She took it as we were leaving the park. 'She told me it was time to go home. She said she wanted to shower and feed the children. 'She has left us. Now there is just me and my children.' Two days after the fatal incident, Blackburn council completely cut down what remained of the tree from which the branch fell, as well as lopping off branches from several other nearby trees. A joint investigation is underway between Lancashire Police and the Health and Safety Executive, and detectives are asking anyone with information to come forward. Detective Inspector Iain Czapowski said: 'This is an absolutely tragic incident which has cost a young woman her life and my thoughts are with her loved ones. 'We are working closely with our colleagues from the Health and Safety Executive and with the co-operation of the council to try and establish the full circumstances of what happened, and I would like to speak to anyone with information which could assist with that. 'I am especially keen to speak to anyone who actually saw what happened on that fateful night and I would urge them to contact us.' The accident happened just yards from the park's Big Cover wood, where trees form the majority of the habitat. Relatives from all over the country gathered at Blackburn's Madina mosque two days after Madia's death where the family were hoping a funeral could take place sometime in the evening. Former mayor and still sitting councillor Zamir Khan MBE, an uncle in the tight-knit family, said Madia's body was still with the coroner. He said: 'Her little girl told me her mother pushed her out of the way as the branch fell. 'Madia was a loving, doting mother and a very caring person. 'The older boy was walking with his father in front and could not believe what happened. 'It is very hard for the children. I do not think they will ever walk in that park again.' In a statement, the council said it was 'deeply saddened' after the accident and confirmed the tree had been felled. The authority's chief executive, Denise Park said: 'Our thoughts and heartfelt condolence are with the family and friends of the person who has lost their life at this very difficult time.' He added: 'Witton Park is a much-loved community space, and the safety of everyone who visits is of the utmost importance to us. 'Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the family at this very sad time.' A cyclist who rides through the park every day said: 'I have seen loads of fallen branches before, but it is mainly because of high winds. 'There wasn't even a breeze when this poor woman was killed. It is utterly heartbreaking. 'I shudder to think what her poor children and husband are going through.' Many people walking there today were unaware of the tragedy and thought the council were carrying out unnecessary tree work. One said: 'I was initially cross that they had cut the tree down until someone told me what had happened. It doesn't bear thinking about.' Local councillor Paul Marrow said: 'There have been concerns about ash dieback disease and the number of dead trees in Witton Park and across the borough. 'The council needs to make regular, thorough inspections of the trees in the park to ensure they are safe.'
Sky News
4 hours ago
- Sky News
New Zealand: Family's plea to fugitive dad on the run with children for nearly four years
The family of a father who disappeared with his three children nearly four years ago in New Zealand have broken their silence to appeal for him to return home. In December 2021, Tom Phillips vanished into the wilderness with his two daughters and son - but his family have said they still remain hopeful "today will be the day you all come home". Phillips, along with Jayda, now aged 12, Maverick, 10, and Ember, nine, were last believed to have been seen in a "credible sighting" last October hiking through a bush area near Marokopa on the country's North Island. For the first time, his family have directly appealed to Phillips in the hope that "just maybe, he's going to see this" and "that we are here for him". In an interview with New Zealand journalist Paddy Gower, his sister Rozzi Phillips said she missed being part of her brother's life, adding "I really want to see you" and "you're very special to me". She also read out a handwritten message from Phillips' mother, Julia, which came from her "heart, just to her son". "Tom, I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this, not considering how much we love you and could support you," she said. "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'd not gone away." According to New Zealand news site, Stuff, the letter ended with a message for the three children. "We love you so much and really miss being part of your lives," it read. "Every day we wake up and hope that today will be the day you all come home." Ms Phillips said her brother is a skilled builder and would have constructed a shelter. Police believe his actions could be linked to a custody battle. There have been numerous reported sightings since December 2021. The most recent last October was said to be from a distance when the group were seen wearing camouflage gear and carrying large camping backpacks.
