Police believe a ute being driven by missing Marokopa dad Tom Phillips was involved in an altercation in the Waikato area last night.

Phillips was spotted yesterday in Te Awamutu, Te Rapa and Kawhia in three separate sightings.

He disappeared more than 18 months ago with children Jayda, Maverick and Ember.

Police inspector Will Loughrin says the stolen bronze 2003 Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute forms part of the ongoing investigation.

"What we can say is that ute we've had three sightings of was stolen, and it was stolen from an address in that surrounding area."

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