The public search for the missing Marokopa children and their father Tom Phillips has been put on hold.
The search, which was organised by their mother and half-siblings for June 11, has been put on hold after police raised concerns.
"Due to concerns raised by police, we will be holding off on the planned search effort on June 11th," the adult half-sister of the missing children posted on Facebook.
"We are desperate to get our babies home but can't risk losing anyone or anyone getting hurt in the bush."
Police met with the children's mother last week where concerns were raised.
A plane flew over the vast Marokopa area on Saturday but officers are unable to confirm whether they found anything of interest.
It's almost six months since Jayda, 8, Maverick, 7, and Ember, 6, disappeared for a second time with their father and they haven't been seen since.
The sister, who wishes to remain anonymous, said despite the family-led search being on hold they "still ask anyone with information no matter how insignificant, to come forward".
Newshub understands information has been handed to police that includes two separate sightings of the missing Marokopa children and their father Tom Phillips on the outskirts of Otorohanga within the past two weeks.
Waikato West area commander Will Loughrin told Newshub investigating officers are "receiving regular information, and this is something we will be looking into".
Police have previously indicated they "strongly believe Tom is getting assistance from someone."
"What I urge that person to do is to contact police. We're really worried about the well-being of the children as winter approaches," Loughrin said.
Phillips, 34, was due to appear in the Te Kūiti District Court in January, on a single charge of causing wasteful deployment of police personnel and resources in relation to a large-scale search for him and his three children, in September.
Police said Phillips came home alone for a night in February to the family farm in Marokopa but was gone by morning.
The family of the missing children are eager to have them home, especially in time for Jayda's ninth birthday in June.
