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A fugitive father and his three children, who have not been seen for three years, have been spotted in the New Zealand wilderness by pig hunters.

Tom Phillips and his children – Ember, 8, Maverick, 9, and Jayda, 11 – were seen walking in a meadow near the town of Marokopa on the country’s North Island.

They wore camouflage clothing and carried backpacks. One witness described them as “well prepared for the wilderness.”

The family was discovered by two young hunters and discreetly recorded with a cell phone camera. This was the first confirmed sighting of all four since their disappearance in December 2021.

Mr Phillips fled with his children after an argument with their mother almost three years ago. He did not have custody of the children and violated a custody order by taking them to an “undisclosed location.” It is believed that the children have had no contact with the outside world since then.

Her mother, identified only as Catherine, told the New Zealand Herald: “I’m so glad they’re all here. I am so relieved to see all three of my babies. They’re all alive.”

Despite numerous police searches, rewards and public appeals, there has been no trace of Mr Phillips and his children.

During their brief encounter with the hunters, one of the children reportedly asked if anyone knew they were there.

“The kids asked, ‘Who else knows we’re here?’ And then they just kept going. They were all packed and had large backpacks with them. I think the father somehow kept them moving,” he said New Zealand Herald quoted John McOviney, the grandfather of one of the teenage hunters who encountered the fugitive father and children.

One of the hunters quickly alerted the police after spotting the family.

Police launched a search using two helicopters, one a military helicopter with night vision, but were unable to find the family. Nevertheless, investigators described the sighting as a “positive investigative approach.”

“Patrols began in the area on Thursday evening and a search was launched the following morning,” Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said.

“Although nothing else of significance was found, investigators will now evaluate the information gathered to determine next steps. This is the first time all three children have been spotted, which is positive information and we know it will be reassuring for the children’s entire family.”

DI Saunders said he could not go into detail but wanted to “assure the public that we have the resources to respond to any information or reports of sightings that come in”. He added: “Our focus is very much on the safe return of Jayda, Maverick and Ember to their family and we are doing everything we can to make this happen.”

An arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Phillips shortly after his disappearance in late 2021.

He is also wanted for allegedly robbing a bank at gunpoint in Te Kuiti in May 2023.

Mr Phillips was reportedly seen at a supermarket last year where he got into an argument and allegedly stole a car. In November, police suspect he and one of his children broke into a store and stole a bicycle.

In June this year, police offered an $80,000 NZD (£37,247) reward for information leading to the safe return of the three children. It expired before they were found.

The public has now been warned not to approach Mr Phillips as he may be armed.

The children’s mother posted an emotional video earlier this year urging people to help bring her children back. “I stand here before you today begging for your help to bring my babies home,” she said.

“They are just innocent children, they don’t deserve to be treated like this. They don’t deserve the life they are offered now.”

She later shared a letter she claimed Mr Phillips sent her several months after his disappearance. He had a “good heart” and meant well, Mr. Philips allegedly wrote.

“I don’t know what to say or do to help you forgive me,” the letter says. “I don’t really want to be with anyone else, otherwise I would have already done it. I don’t want to be with anyone, I want to be with you, Catherine, the woman I’ve been in love with for over seven years. I can’t make you forgive me. Only you can make this choice and I know you don’t have to.

“I know if I ever give up on doing things right, I will regret it forever. I’m sorry for anything I’ve ever said or done to hurt you. For the last nine months I have suffered every day because I knew I should have handled things better and that I messed up.”

The mother told Things after seeing her children: “I just collapsed, they are alive!” There are three of them and they walk under their own power, obviously carrying everything on their backs. This is the first time in almost three years.”

She said she was worried about her daughter Ember, who suffers from asthma. “You need a prescription to get inhalers, so either he’s neglecting her health or someone is giving him inhalers,” she said.

“They need to get help, whether it’s supplies that were left at a designated drop off point for them somewhere, they need to get help.”