Footage shows moment children who went missing three years ago are spotted in nature with their father

Images of a man going missing with his three children in 2021 are believed to be the first time they have all been seen together since their disappearance. New Zealander Tom Phillips disappeared with his three children; Jayda, eight, Maverick, six, and Ember, five, returning in 2021.

They returned after several days, with Phillips claiming he had just taken his children camping, but an extensive search was launched to find them, leading to him being accused of wasting police resources.

He was given a court date, but he never showed up, having disappeared once again with his three children, this time apparently for good.

There have been a few rare sightings since then, but on October 3, a group of pig hunters spotted a man with a gun and three children wearing camouflage clothing walking nearby.

Tom Phillips and his three children were seen together for the first time since their disappearance. (YouTube/1News)

Police called it a “credible” sighting of Tom Phillips and the three children and said it was good news for their family.

Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said: “This is the first time all three children have been seen, which is positive information, and we know it will be reassuring to the children’s wider family.”

According to Stuff, one of the pig hunters who interacted with the Phillips family was the grandson of John McOviney, who described the encounter his grandson had with the family.

McOviney said: “He said to them, ‘What are you doing here? Who are you ? Does anyone else know you’re here? “The child said ‘only you’ and then they continued walking.”

Pig hunters described the man leading the children as carrying a gun and having a long beard, while the three children were carrying bundles of equipment.

Cat, the mother of Jayda, Maverick and Ember, was happy to see all her children together.

Speaking to the NZ Herald, she said: “I’m so happy they’re all here.

“I’m so relieved to see my three babies. They’re all alive.”

In response to the footage, a three-day police search was launched, with no success in finding Tom Phillips or his children.

Tom Phillips, who took his children three years ago and disappeared. (New Zealand Police)

Police said they believed Phillips was being helped by others, with DI Saunders saying they “urged anyone doing this to stop, do the right thing and tell the police what that you know.”

There is an arrest warrant for Tom Phillips on suspicion of carrying out an armed bank robbery in the New Zealand town of Te Kuiti last year.

Phillips was charged with aggravated robbery, wounding and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged participation in the bank robbery, and it is believed one of his children was an accomplice.

This 2023 photo is believed to show Tom Phillips and one of his children. (New Zealand Police)

Earlier this year, police offered a reward of up to NZ$80,000 (£37,000) for information leading to the safe return of the children.

The reward unfortunately expired unclaimed as Phillips and his children are still there.

They also offered legal immunity to anyone who might have helped Phillips and wanted to come forward.