Family of New Zealand fugitive on the run for almost four years with his children plead for his return

In a New Zealand television interview, relatives spoke of their anguish since Tom Phillips disappeared with his three children in late 2021

The family of a fugitive father who has been hiding for more than three years in New Zealand’s rugged wilderness with his three children has pleaded with the man to come home, in some of their first public comments since he vanished.

Just before Christmas 2021, Tom Phillips fled into the Waikato wilderness with his children Ember, now 9, Maverick, 1o, and Jayda, 12, following a dispute with their mother. Phillips does not have legal custody of his children.

“I miss you, miss being part of your life and I really want to see you and the kids,” said his sister Rozzi Phillips, in her first interview since he disappeared.

Rozzi Phillips told New Zealand journalist Paddy Gower she hoped her public appearance would reach her brother, after other attempts to contact him through email and phone had been met with silence.