"Over 40 reports" of credible sightings have been received in the search for three Marokopa children who went missing with their father Tom Phillips in December 2021.
In a case update on Thursday afternoon, acting Det Insp Andrew Saunders said since an $80,000 reward was posted last week, more than 100 reports have been received in total.
"As a result of our enquiries we have identified over 40 reports that we think are worthy of consideration and which are now being investigated further."
Last week, police said "dozens" of tip-offs had been received. The reward offer expires next Tuesday at 11:59pm.
"We again urge anyone with credible, current information that will lead to the location and safe return of Ember, Maverick and Jayda to do the right thing and tell police what you know," Saunders said.
The reward was posted for two weeks only to encourage people with credible information to not hesitate in coming forward.
Police said immunity against prosecution for those helping Phillips will be considered.
All new reports are being assessed for credibility, Saunders said on Thursday.
He said although Marokopa is still a key area for police, investigators are also focusing on nearby Honikiwi and Ōtorohanga too.
"We're appealing for anyone who has observed suspicious behaviour in these areas in recent months to please contact police."
Officers had set up checkpoints at Marokopa for a few days last week but they were removed on Friday.
Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, police said a letter shared by the mum of the three missing children in Marokopa is "not recent" and therefore doesn't provide any new information that will help bring the children home.
"Investigators working to locate the missing children Ember, Maverick and Jayda Phillips are aware of the recent Facebook post by Cat, the mother of the children. The letter does not appear to present new information that will assist in the location and safe return of the children, enquiries are ongoing," a statement said.
The letter police speak of was shared by Catherine (Cat), the mother of Jayda, Maverick and Ember Phillips, on Wednesday night. She claimed the letter was written by the children's father, Tom.
"All is not what it seems," she said of the letter.
The day before she posted the letter, Cat appeared in a video released on police's social media - asking the public to "help bring my babies home". The Waikato-based mother had been split from Phillips for nearly four years when he first disappeared with the three children in 2021. He had legal custody at the time.
But according to police, Phillips no longer has legal custody and a warrant is out for his arrest on several charges including aggravated robbery at ANZ Te Kūiti last year.
