It's been 11 months since the three young children of the Marokopa family disappeared with their father, and now their family are so desperate for information they've begun fundraising for a reward.
Jayda (nine), Maverick (seven), Ember (six) and their 35-year-old father Tom Phillips disappeared for a second time in December last year. The father also sparked a major search and rescue operation in September 2021 when the family went bush.
Police issued a warrant for Phillips' arrest after he failed to appear in Te Kūtiti District Court in January on a charge of wasting police time.
The eldest sister of the three young children Storm Dawson created a GiveaLittle fundraiser to fund a reward for information that could lead "to the safe return of the missing Marokopa family".
Dawson said they've worked with police throughout their investigation and understood the "complication it would create if they (police) were to fund a reward".
So far the fundraiser has raised $5,027 with a goal of $10,000.
"The money will go toward a reward for information leading to the safe return of the three children."
Dawson added any remaining funds will be donated to organisations that helped with the September search.
Newshub asked police if the reward is something they are helping to facilitate. A spokesperson said: "Police are not able to facilitate the administration of privately funded rewards".
"Our focus remains on locating Tom and his children," the spokesperson added.
