UPDATED 7.02pm: Southland police have released the name of the man found dead in a submerged car in the Mataura River.

He was 44 year old Te Iwiroa Manakura Te Hapuka Smith, from Curio Bay.

Divers found his body around midday today.

It's thought the car entered the water around 5.30 yesterday morning, but investigators have yet to identify the reason..

It was some time until police were alerted.