Sisters ask: Where are our siblings?

The adult half-sisters of the Waikato children who were taken into the bush by their father five months ago are pleading with authorities to do more to find them as winter approaches.

Tom Phillips took his children Jayda Jin, Maverick and Ember – all under 10 – into the bush near his family farm at remote, costal Marokopa in December. Besides a trip back to the farm in February to pick up supplies, they haven’t been seen.

A warrant is out for Phillips’ arrest after he failed to turn up at court on a charge of wasting police resources, related to the huge search that was launched the first time he and the children disappeared, in September.

The adult half-sisters of the children, who asked that their names be withheld, have started a petition calling on police, Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry of Education and the Family Court to do more to find the children. More than 1000 people have signed the online petition on the change.org site.

A statement with the petition from the eldest sister says: ‘‘I can understand the hesitation to initiate a search party resembling that of September 2021, but . . . it has been an extremely long time to have no guarantee if they are safe and well, or any idea where they are.

‘‘We have gone from one extreme to another – a high-profile search, reported on daily, to a multiple missing person’s case that people are unaware of.

‘‘These children deserve better from those enlisted to protect and serve them, that’s why I have decided to start this petition in hopes of getting the support they deserve.’’

Waikato West area commander Inspector William Loughrin said it was unfair to suggest police weren’t doing enough to find the family.

Police continued to make inquiries, including ongoing contact with Phillips’ family and the local community.

‘‘We have staff solely focused on this matter, and we are very mindful of the period of time that has passed since Tom and his three children were last seen,’’ Loughrin said.

He said police believed people ‘‘who know Tom’’ had ‘‘vital information’’ that could help police.