Family found after going missing on Waikato Beach in New Zealand three weeks ago

A missing father and his three children have remarkably been found safe and well after they went missing from a remote beach almost three weeks ago.

Tom Phillips and his three children, Jayda Jin, 8, Maverick, 6, and Ember, 5, had been missing since September 11 after his ute was found on a beach facing out to sea near the South Waikato settlement of Marokopa, on the North Island of New Zealand.

Police and emergency services alongside hundreds of volunteers and locals spent days searching for the family since Monday, September 13.

Phillips’ sister Rozzi Pethybridge described the unbelievable moment he ‘just walked in the door’ saying it was the ‘best case scenario’.

‘I talked to him for about two minutes and there were lots of tears. I want to be respectful of Tom’s wishes so I can’t say too much at the moment, but Tom was in a helpless place – he chose a safe place to clear his head,’ she said to Newshub. 

Mayor of Otorohanga Max Baxter expressed the ‘overwhelming sense of relief’ that the family were safe but mentioned the father did have questions to answer about their disappearance.     

‘There will be mixed emotions on behalf of the family, there’s no question. As the communities will have the same mixed emotions. But at the end of the day there will be an overwhelming sense of relief that the kids are safe and sound.’

He commended police for their efforts in the extensive search and said he was unaware of where the family had been, remarking ‘it is well thought through prior to going bush’ so there would be a few questions the family would have to answer.

Police had suspended the search last week after a 12-day operation failed to locate the four. 

There were concerns the four had been swept off rocks during stormy weather but family hoped the father had taken his children on a camping trip.   

Earlier in the month the children’s uncle, Paul Phillips, expressed his worry about the safety of the children.

‘Our biggest fear is that it’s possible that a rogue wave came in and swept them out to sea. Because Tom was an extremely resilient person we’re hopeful that Tom has taken the children camping,’ Mr Phillips said at the time to The New Zealand Herald.

He said Tom Phillips is a capable hunter who knew how to look after himself and knew his way around the bush. 

Their mother thanked the services involved in the search including Waikato Police Search and Rescue staff, Waitomo LandSAR, Hamilton LandSAR, Fire and Emergency New Zealand,and Surf Life Saving NZ.

‘We also want to thank the air support units who have been helping with the search, the local Iwi and community for their support, and preparation of food donations, any koha given and the families of everyone mentioned for supporting them during their time helping our family,’ she said, commenting she just wanted her children home. 

Police area commander Will Loughrin commented after the search was suspended the inquiry phase of the operation was still ongoing with police available to react to new information as it comes forward. 

It was initially thought the family was missing at sea after the vehicle was found facing the ocean with the keys still under the mat.  

Details of the disappearance and exactly how long they have been in Marokopa since being reported missing have not yet been revealed.