For nearly four years, a mother known as Cat endured the agony of not knowing whether her three children—Jayda, Maverick, and Ember—were alive. Taken by their fugitive father, Tom Phillips, into the dense Waikato bush in December 2021 after a custody dispute, the children vanished, leaving Cat in despair. On September 8, 2025, the saga took a tragic turn when Phillips was killed in a violent police shootout following an armed burglary in Piopio. Days later, hunters spotted the children—thin, frightened, but alive—in the rugged New Zealand wilderness, ending a nearly four-year manhunt that gripped the nation.
The reunion Cat longed for is bittersweet. “I’ve waited four years for this,” she told Radio New Zealand, her voice heavy with relief and sorrow. “They’ve been dearly missed every day, but I’m saddened by how events unfolded.” The children, now aged 9, 10, and 12, were found at a remote campsite, unaccompanied but unharmed, thanks to information from one sibling who was with Phillips during the shootout. They bear the scars of a life spent surviving in the bush, reportedly living off the land with their father, a skilled bushman, and possibly aided by locals.
Phillips, 38, had evaded authorities since failing to appear in court in 2022, facing charges of aggravated robbery and unlawful firearm possession. Sightings were rare, but recent CCTV footage showed him and one child breaking into a store, hinting at their desperate circumstances. On Monday, police chased Phillips’ quad bike after a farm store burglary, laying spikes to stop him. When confronted, Phillips shot an officer in the head, critically injuring him. Police returned fire, killing Phillips. The injured officer faces multiple surgeries but is expected to survive.
The children’s discovery has sparked both relief and concern. Found in near-freezing conditions, they’re now receiving medical checks and support. “This is the start of a long journey of recovery,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, called the outcome “sad and tragic,” noting the nation’s fixation on the case. Questions linger about how Phillips sustained his family in the wilderness, with speculation of community support.
Cat now faces the daunting task of helping her children heal from years of isolation and the trauma of their father’s death. “We’re looking forward to welcoming them home with love and care,” she said, asking for privacy. The nation watches, moved by a mother’s enduring hope and the children’s resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.
