Missing Marokopa family: police spend less on search than on reward

Police have spent almost $50,600 searching for Tom Phillips and his children, who have been missing since December 2021. Photo/NZME

The reward was to be split if there was more than one claimant, and Phillips himself was not eligible to claim the money.

The offer was to remain in effect until June 25, 2024.

Immunity from prosecution would also be considered for anyone who committed an offense while assisting Tom Phillips if they provided information or evidence that led to the location and safe return of the children.

Their location was unknown but it was thought to be in the King Country or Waitomo district.

Tom Phillips and his three children, Ember, Maverick and Jayda, were spotted in the Marokopa bush earlier this year by pig hunters.

Data revealed to RNZ via the Official Information Act, costs were recorded from August 2023.

The research cost $50,593 as of December 5, 2024, including $34,341 for internal travel and $4,721 for equipment rental.

Renting the Eagle helicopter for the search cost $4,192.

Other costs included transportation and other specialist fees.

Police also recorded computer charges, photocopying charges and $153 spent at the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant in Ōtorohanga.

A police spokesperson told RNZ it was extremely difficult to produce an accurate cost for staff deployment due to the number of staff, work groups and the different stages at which they were deployed.

Phillips’ father, Neville Phillips, spoke out in November for the first time since the disappearance of his son and grandchildren.

He believed there was only one way to end the manhunt.

‘There is a conclusion,’ Neville Phillips told Stuff from his home in King Country.

“Leave (Tom) alone, go away.”

Phillips explained his displeasure with the way the disappearance of his son and grandchildren was reported and said there was more to the story than what had been revealed.

-RNZ