Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips’ family break silence, plead for his return with children

The family of Tom Phillips have broken their silence, saying they wake every day hoping he will return with his three children and have nothing but love for him.

In an appearance on Paddy Gower Has Issues, Phillips’ sister Rozzi also believed the children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember, were safe and would not be suffering living in the wilderness.

Rozzi said the family wanted to communicate their support to her missing fugitive brother who disappeared for the first time with his children four years ago.

“Maybe he’s going to see this, and maybe he’s going to get to see that he can come home, and that we are here for him, and it might just be okay.”

Phillips and his three children disappeared from the Marokopa family farm in December 2021.

His immediate family have refused to give interviews for almost four years .

In a heartfelt plea, Rozzi reiterated that the family was still willing to help him.

“You’re very special to me. You’re my friend, as well as my brother, and I love you, and it’s okay.”

The Phillips children have been in hiding with their father, Tom Phillips, since December 2021. Their mother, Cat, posted pictures to social media in June, 2024, appealing for their safe return. Supplied / Facebook.

Phillips and the children were last seen in October 2024, when they were filmed by two pig hunters walking through Marokopa farmland.

This winter marks the family’s fourth in Waikato’s King Country bush.

Rozzi told Stuff her brother was an experienced outdoorsman, having completed a six-month outdoor survival programme as a teenager.

She believed those skills will have enabled him to construct a “nest” for the family, saying she didn’t think “he would have the children suffering”.

Missing Tom Phillips recent events. February 2025.

Jayda, Maverick and Ember were aged 8, 7 and 5 at the time they went into hiding.

The aunt addressed her missing nieces and nephew, who will now be aged 11, 10, and 8.

“You’re important to me and our wider family and I’d love to see you again and be part of your lives again.”

Rozzi also read out a letter to Tom “from a mother’s heart”, penned by their mother, Julia.

“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.

“Every day I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you will come home.”

Police believe Phillips is being assisted in evading discovery and is probably receiving supplies from the outside world.

As of June 2024, there is an $80,000 reward for information about the family’s whereabouts.