Fugitive New Zealand dad and dad Tom Phillips is spotted in a Bunnings – as crime expert reveals how he managed to elude authorities for three years

The mother of three, who has been missing with her fugitive father for almost three years, admitted she saw them in a Bunnings last year – when a criminal psychologist expressed concern about the “abnormal” life she was leading outside the country lead.

Cat, the mother of three – Jayda, 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8 – who was seen with her father Tom Phillips on October 3, recalled seeing her former partner as they walked in the parking lot from Hamilton Bunnings passed a small car last August.

Phillips and the children first disappeared in 2021 and launched a costly search campaign before being caught, only to be on the run again two weeks later.

In an interview on Wednesday, she claimed to have seen Phillips, wearing a disguise, in the Te Rapa store.

Cat recognized the father after he stopped in front of a suspicious-looking child and recognized Phillips through the disguise.

“It was just the way he lifted his head because I just had a feeling,” she told Mata Reports.

Shortly afterwards, Cat believes Phillip drove off because he recognized her and the mother gave chase.

She managed to take photos for the ute when they were stopped at a red light, but she didn't get out of her car because she feared it wasn't Phillip.

The mother-of-three, who has been living with her fugitive father in the New Zealand wilderness for almost three years, has claimed to have seen him in disguise at a Bunnings building (pictured)

Tom Phillips (pictured) has been on the run through New Zealand after a warrant was issued for his arrest over a suspected bank robbery last year

Cat continued to follow the car, but lost sight of him when he pulled in front of a bus and turned onto a side street.

The mother claimed the ute belonged to a Phillips employee and had only been reported stolen when she saw him.

Cat has long believed Phillips has a network of supporters across New Zealand.

“My babies deserve better, it's long past time for them to come home and supporting Thomas is essentially supporting child abuse because that's exactly what it is.” There's no beating around the bush . “None of this is OK,” she said.

“These people need to stop. They need to seriously think about this and ask themselves why these kids are earning less than every other child in New Zealand.”

The father's decision to disappear into the wilderness came after an arrest warrant was issued following a suspected bank robbery in September last year.

The criminal psychologist Dr. Tim Watson-Munro said Phillips had undoubtedly shown the skills and understanding of living off the land with three young children.

However, Dr. Watson-Munro said the psychological impact of separating children from their friends and family during adolescence could be detrimental to their development.

“I would be professionally concerned about her mental wellbeing arising from all of this,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“I mean, it's an unusual kind of life for little kids.”

CCTV last year is said to have shown Phillips and one of his children shortly before the robbery at a bank and clothing store.

The duo were wearing clothing that covered the entire body at the time of the alleged incidents, including face masks, before driving off in stolen vehicles.

Catherine recognized the father after stopping in front of a suspicious looking ute (pictured) and recognized Phillips through the disguise

He and his three children were discovered by teenage pig hunters last week, sparking fears for their physical and mental well-being after years of separation from society

Dr. Watson-Munro said the children could be further discouraged from leaving their father and seeking help if they were involved in the alleged crimes, making them even more isolated.

“I have been involved in cases over the years where children were part of alleged cults,” he said.

“The families decide to isolate them from mainstream society, they decide to homeschool them and so on.”

“But at least in those situations, they have an advantage when they interact with other children, other teenagers, other young children.”

“Here you have a situation where you have three siblings alone with their father, there is no opportunity for that kind of socialization.”

However, he noted that children are now reaching puberty, an often turbulent time even for stable households, let alone those in the wilderness.

“As they enter puberty and adolescence, not only do they experience a growth spurt, but the way they think, in terms of conceptual thinking, evolves and they become restless about what they are told,” says Dr. Munro said.

“Adolescence can be a time of significant rebellion for children.”

Phillips and the three children were filmed by two teenage pig hunters on October 3 at a remote coastal farm near Marokopa.

The father and his children disappeared from Marokopa in December 2021 and although hundreds of sightings of Phillip have been reported to police, the footage taken by the teenagers is the most credible.

All four members of the group were seen wearing camouflage clothing and carrying large backpacks.

Phillips is said to have robbed a designer clothing store and a bank late last year and was seen on CCTV cameras wearing face masks and clothing to protect his identity (pictured)

He was seen with what appeared to be one of his children after allegedly robbing the bank and driving off on a stolen motorbike (pictured).

Phillips walked about 10 yards ahead of his children, who trotted behind him in single file.

The investigation is ongoing and New Zealand Police Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders confirmed the sighting was considered “credible”.

“Although nothing else of significance was found, investigators will now evaluate the information gathered to determine next steps,” he said.

“This is the first time all three children have been sighted, which is positive information and we know it will be reassuring for the children’s entire family.”

In June this year, an $80,000 reward was offered for information that could help locate the three children. However, this lapsed after eight weeks with no results, although officials considered more than 40 sightings to be significant.

Inspector Saunders said police believe he received help to escape.

“Anyone who committed a crime in assisting Tom Phillips will be considered impunity if they provide information or evidence leading to the whereabouts and safe return of the children,” he said in June.

The children's mother, Catherine, had previously accused Mr Phillips of endangering and discriminating against the children.

“Ember is an asthmatic like me and needs medical care that the country cannot provide,” she said.

“Many of you say that the children are doing well and are well looked after.”

'How do you know that? Have you seen her? Or is it just Bush talk?

“What Thomas is doing is not okay.” It is not okay to divide and conquer, to isolate and control.

“It's child neglect, it's child abandonment, it's child abuse.” “My babies deserve better.”