A Marokopa man who's accused of wasting police time following a large-scale search for his family last year failed to make his first court appearance.
Thomas Phillips and his three children went missing near the isolated North Island west coast settlement of Marokopa in September 2021, sparking a large search by police, search and rescue, and locals.
Concern came after Phillips' ute was found below the tideline at Kiritehere Beach.
Thomas Phillips and his three kids were missing in the bush for several weeks. (Source: 1News)
The family were missing for several weeks, and the search was eventually suspended.
They emerged from the bush on September 30.
Phillips was later charged with wasting police time.
The maximum penalty, according to court documents seen by 1News, is three months imprisonment or a $2000 fine.
Today, Phillips was supposed to appear by video link at the Te Kuiti District Court before Judge Phillip Clayton, but his lawyer, Garth O'Brien, confirmed he was not present.
Judge Clayton approved a warrant for his arrest.
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