The physical search for Thomas Phillips and his three children continues on Monday, a week after the intensive operation was launched.
It has now been nine days since Phillips and his children - Jayda, Maverick and Ember - were last seen, with Phillips' flooded Toyota Hilux discovered on the rugged Kiritehere Beach last Sunday.
Over the last week search-and-rescue teams have scoured the area for any sign of the family, who reside on a farm in Marokopa, a rural community in Waikato's Waitomo District. Police, Fire and Emergency, LandSAR, Coastguard and Surf Lifesaving staff have been deployed in their droves to search the surrounding land, with Surf Lifesavers also taking to the sea last week. Thermal-imaging drones and aircraft, including the Eagle helicopter, have also been utilised, but there have yet to be any sufficient breakthroughs.
In an update on Monday afternoon, Waikato West Area Commander, Inspector Will Loughrin, said search times are now combing the shoreline at low-tide.
"Searches by air are being undertaken by a Coastguard air patrol using a fixed-wing plane, a local helicopter operator with police air observers on board, and the police drone," he said.
Police are also appealing to the public for any photos of footage of the weather or sea conditions at both Marokopa and Kiritehere on September 11 and 12, the weekend the family disappeared.
Anyone with any photos or footage is urged to contact the police by calling 105 and quoting file number 210913/1952.
The mother of Jayda, Maverick and Ember and the extended family have also issued a message thanking the search-and-rescue teams for their continued support.
"On behalf of Jayda, Maverick and Ember's mother, our extended families and friends, we would like to extend our utmost thanks and gratitude to Waikato Police Search and Rescue staff, Waitomo LandSAR, Hamilton LandSAR, Fire and Emergency New Zealand for their drone operations and for catering for the searchers, and Surf Life Saving NZ for their time on the water," the family said in a statement on Monday.
"We also want to thank the air support units who have been helping with the search, the local iwi and community for their support, and preparation of food donations, any koha given and the families of everyone mentioned for supporting them during their time helping our family.
"We have been incredibly humbled by the generosity and support shown by everyone during this difficult time.
"We all just want Tom, Jayda, Maverick and Ember home."
