The following is a mix of information from media reports and what is believed to be documented fact. Given the children are all minors (12, 10, 9 yrs), much will be suppressed to the public.
In 2021 Tom took the kids, who he had and was home schooling, and abandoned his vehicle on a Kiritehere beach and took to the bush.
Police called off the search after 18 days.
Later that same month, Tom reappeared at his parents farm and was charged with wasting Police resources.
Tom did not show up to his January 2022 Court date and 3 months later went missing with the kids again. What is suspected is that his first disappearance was trial run.
Sightings of the group over the last 4 years were made, but Police never seemed to be able to find the group. The bush here is dense and Tom knew the area very well.
As things have unfolded, it seems the Police knew more than they were letting on. Tom had weapons and was willing to use them. It is suggested that he also had assistance from friends, family and general public.
For good reason the Police were cautious and purposeful in their search for Tom. He was a risk - to himself, his kids and the general public.
The children's mother advised the Police that him taking the kids was to punish and hurt her. It was a custody battle. She worked with the Police and waited for 4 years in hope. She, as at 10 Sept is still waiting to be reunited with them. They will be undergoing a lot of stress, grief and having to acclimatise to the world they have not been a part of for 4 years.
A baby was reportedly found alongside the other 2 children. This has yet to be substantiated. There are unfounded reports that the baby is that of the eldest daughter Jayda. Jayda is 12. The father, again unfounded reports, is supposedly Tom Phillips.
This is a story that all of NZ have been following and there has been a divide of support for Tom and Cat (the mother of the children).
Many saw Tom as a hero, fighting for his rights as a father.
Others have supported Cat, a tormented mother whose children have been taken from her. She has had to endure 4 years of people telling her she failed her kids, that she was a drug addict, that she didn't do enough. Behind the scenes she has done everything a parent would and could do.
We don't know Tom's version of events and we never will.
The children will take many years to recover, if that is even possible. We as a nation and as parents, just hope that the reunion between the mother and kids is one of peace and love, and we send them all the strength they will need to get through this.