The father of three who sparked a major police search last year when he disappeared with his children near Marokopa has failed to appear in court.
Police officers and other agencies searched for weeks in September for Thomas Phillips and his three children. They eventually returned to their family after spending time in the bush.
Phillips was charged in October with causing wasteful deployment of police personnel and resources. He was due to appear in the Te Kuiti District Court on Wednesday but did not turn up.
His lawyer, Garth O'Brien, told the court on his client was advised of the requirement to attend Wednesday's hearing but "he has not been in contact".
Newshub understands the 34 year old has gone bush with his children again, and hasn’t been seen for a month.
A warrant is now out for his arrest.
Authorities in September searched for 17 days for Phillips and his three children before they eventually returned home. After they returned on September 30, Waikato West Area Commander Insp Will Loughrin said the family had been living in a tent in a dense bush area.
Phillips was an experienced bushman and was able to look after himself, Loughrin added.
"It is extraordinary," he said of the family returning home. "To happen this way is fantastic for the family. This is a family who experienced 17 days of hell."
Before their return, Phillips and the children - aged 8, 6 and 5 - were last seen on September 11. Searches around inland and coastal areas of Marokopa and Kiritehere were eventually suspended.
