A New Zealand man by the name of Thomas Phillips decided to bring his kids on a camping trip to Marokopa in New Zealand.

Thomas and his three kids; 8-year-old Jayda Jin, 6-year-old Maverick, and 5-year-old Ember set out for their trip, but not long into it, their loved ones stopped hearing from them.

On September 11th, Thomas and the kids were reported missing by their family.

The day after the family was reported missing, Thomas’s car, a 2004 silver Toyota Hilux, was discovered, but there was still no sign of Thomas and the kids.

Waikato Police; pictured above is Maverick

Thomas’s car had been abandoned on Kiritehere Beach, which is not exactly what you think of when you imagine a beach. Kiritehere Beach can be pretty dangerous, and the Waikato Police shared a statement from Thomas’s family that revealed they feared the worst had happened to him and the kids.

“There was no noticeable change in Tom’s behaviour observed by the family,” Thomas’s family said in the statement.

Waikato Police; pictured above is Jayda Jin

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“Tom’s family were advised on Monday morning that Tom’s vehicle had been found on Kiritehere Beach and had moved away from the incoming tide late on Sunday afternoon.”

“We immediately contacted the authorities, as this was out of character. Because of where the vehicle was found we are understandably very anxious and fearful for the safety of Tom and the children.”

“It is possible that they were all swept off the beach as the sea was particularly wild over the weekend.”

Waikato Police; pictured above is Thomas’s car

“We are hopeful that Tom has taken the children camping and that they are safe somewhere. There is no knowledge that he had plans to do this.”

For the next few weeks following the discovery of Thomas’s car, authorities desperately searched the area without any luck.

Waikato Police; pictured above is Ember

The conditions were described as “tough and treacherous” so it really was hard to look for Thomas and the kids.

Several days after the authorities had called the search for Thomas and his kids off, they showed up in Marokopa, completely unharmed.

Thomas and the kids were missing for a total of 17 long days, and in the end, apparently, Thomas had just never bothered to tell his family that they were going camping for that period of time.

Waikato Police; pictured above is Thomas

“It is extraordinary,” Waikato West Area Commander Will Loughrin explained at a press conference after Thomas and the kids were found safe.

“This is a family that experienced 17 days of hell, a community that experienced 17 days of hell. To have the outcome that we wanted, it’s fantastic,” Waikato West Area Commander Will Loughrin continued.

Many people are still left wondering how Thomas and his kids survived for 17 days in what is essentially the wilderness of New Zealand.