New Zealand Authorities Offer Reward For Missing Children

Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders gives a media update on the search for Tom Phillips and his children, including the introduction of a NZ$80,000 (US$49,000) reward in Hamilton, New Zealand,

New Zealand authorities have announced a reward and immunity from prosecution for anyone who can assist in locating three missing children who disappeared with their father over two years ago from a remote rural community. The children, now aged 8, 9, and 10, along with their father, Tom Phillips, vanished in December 2021, sparking a puzzling case that has left investigators baffled.

Despite being believed to have not traveled far from their rural settlement, there have been no credible sightings of the family for months. Phillips is accused of an armed bank robbery in May 2023, during which he allegedly shot at a member of the public and fled on a motorbike with one of his children, for whom he no longer has legal custody rights.