There's another twist in the puzzling disappearance of John and Mike Beckenridge - missing from Southland since 2015.

During a Coronial hearing in Christchurch today, a witness retracted his earlier claim his cousin had told him he'd helped the pair flee.

The father and stepson's car was found in wild sea near the Catlins - below an 88-metre cliff, with no bodies. 

Herald reporter Anna Leask says the witness made a complete turnaround  after being shown his police statement.

"He read through his statement and said - that's what the police have, in this document, that I didn't say it and I never said that and he didn't say this to me."

LISTEN ABOVE

• 'He's pulled it off': What really happened to John Beckenridge and his stepson Mike?
• 'It was them': Woman adamant she spotted missing boy and stepdad overseas
• Beckenridge disappearance: Man behind 'new evidence' retracts all allegations his cousin 'helped' missing pair
• Mother believes missing son overseas under new identity
• 'We helped them': New twist in Beckenridge disappearance case