A stolen ute used by Marokopa father Tom Phillips has been found as police make another advance in their investigation into the missing family.
Earlier on Friday, there was a large police presence in Marokopa and locals said armed offender's squad members swarmed the area.
Police have now moved on from Marokopa with just one scene guard remaining in the area.
Tom and his three children Jayda, Maverick and Ember disappeared from the Waikato town of Marokopa for a second time in December 2021.
After no sign of the family for 18 months, there were fresh reported sightings of Tom driving a ute at three different locations across the Waikato region.
He was also spotted shopping at Te Rapa's Bunnings Warehouse.
The children were not spotted with him and despite officers responding and making multiple investigations in the area, Tom wasn't located.
Inspector Will Loughrin told Newshub on Friday the bronze Toyota Hilux has been located after a member of the public saw it just off Marokopa Road in Te Anga.
"At this time neither Tom nor the children have been located," Insp Loughrin said.
Police continue to ask anyone with information to please come forward to Police on 111, referencing file number 211218/5611.
What we know
The family first went missing in September 2021 after Tom's car was found parked at Marokopa Beach, prompting fears the family had been swept to sea.
An extensive search and rescue operation was launched to find the missing family but 17 days later they reappeared at their family farm safe and well, having been in the bush for all that time.
Tom was subsequently charged with wasting police time and resources but failed to appear in court in January.
Tom and the children then went missing for a second time in December.
Other than Tom returning home for a night in February last year to pick up supplies, he had not been seen since.
Police believe Tom was receiving support to enable him to stay hidden for such a long period of time.
But over one year later, he has been spotted again.
There were fresh reported sightings of Tom driving a ute in the Pokuru area near Te Awamutu at about 12:30pm on Wednesday.
Tom was believed to be driving and was "involved in an altercation involving another vehicle", police said.
The ute was sighted a second time in the carpark of Te Rapa's Bunnings Warehouse at about 4pm and then a third at about 6:45pm travelling on State Highway 31 near Kawhia.
Photos released by the police showed Tom wearing a disguise while he shopped at Bunnings Warehouse. He was wearing a woollen beanie, a surgical mask, and glasses and appeared to be wearing a number of layers of clothing.
His children were nowhere to be seen.
