THE family of a notorious fugitive ‘Bushman’ dad has penned a passionate letter urging him to come home.

Tom Phillips has been on the run in New Zealand with his three kids since 2021.

He was allegedly spotted in a layby on State Highway 4, south of Te Kūiti back in February.

One concerned member of the public spotted four people, an adult man and three children, dressed in camouflage.

But the 36-year-old and his three kids – Jayda, 11, Maverick, 10 and Ember, nine – are still in hiding across the North Island wilderness.

Members of his family have now broken their silence in a heartfelt plea for him to return home after years on the move.

Speaking to Paddy Gower for Stuff.co.nz, the family shared a letter begging him to come back.

It reads: “Tom – I feel really sad that you thought you had to do this.

“Not considering how much we love you and can support you.

“It hurts every time I see photos of the children and of you and see some of your stuff that is still here.

“Thinking what could have been if you had not gone away.

“Jayda, Maverick, Ember – I love you so much and really miss being part of your lives.

“Everyday I wake up and hope that today will be the day that you will come home.”

Phillips and the three kids are now nearing the end of their fourth New Zealand winter in the bush.

Since he ran off in 2021, his parents have refused to give interviews – but they’ve now changed their mind with this urgent plea.

The emotive letter was hand written by Phillips’ mother Julia.

Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, his sister Rozzi Phillips echoed Julia’s sentiment.

She said: “Maybe he’s going to see this, and maybe he’s going to get to see that he can come home, and that we are here for him, and it might just be okay.

“There’s a lot of love and there’s a lot of support, and we’re ready to help you walk through what you need to walk through.

“I miss you, and I miss being part of your life, and I really want to see you and the kids and be part of your lives again.

“You’re very special to me. You’re my friend, as well as my brother, and I love you, and it’s okay.”

Phillips is reported to be an accomplished bushman who once undertook a six-month outdoor survival skills programme.

The kids’ disappearance was reported to cops one month after they vanished.

New Zealand police have offered a $80,000 reward for information leading to the children’s return.

Phillips remains wanted by cops, and is also accused of robbing a bank and firing a gun at a supermarket worker in 2023.