A man has backtracked on claims - connected to the disappearance of father and step-son, John and Mike Beckenridge

They were last seen near the Catlins in 2015, then their car found in rough seas below an 88-metre cliff, with no bodies.

In a Coronial hearing in Christchurch today, a witness retracted earlier alleging his cousin told him he'd helped the pair, who were alive.

Herald reporter Anna Leask says the witness signed his statement - but says he didn't notice what he'd been recorded saying.

She says he also retracted a claim his cousin's wife and members of the community had helped the Beckenridges.