Police cannot say how long it will take to recover the car Mike Zhao-Beckenridge (11) was last seen in from below 88m cliffs near Southland's Curio Bay.
After six days, facing dangerous conditions, the police national dive team was able to confirm on Sunday the vehicle was the boy's estranged stepfather John Beckenridge's blue Volkswagen Touareg, but police were still unable to confirm ''the indication that there was nothing inside the vehicle'', police communications manager Nic Barclay said.
Police were continuing to work through possible methods to remove the car from the water to confirm the divers' initial belief, he said.
''The recovery is based on numerous things, including the location of the car and the conditions in the area,'' he said.
''We aren't sure of how long it could take before we're able to extract the car from the water. We don't know when.''
The missing persons case, dubbed Operation Michael by police, enters its 20th day today.
The boy, allegedly abducted by his estranged stepfather, was taken from his Invercargill school on March 13 without his mother's knowledge, or permission.
Searches on land and along the coastline continued and were not confined to the Curio Bay area, Mr Barclay said.
The land searches would continue and formed an ongoing part of the inquiry, he said.
Searches along the shoreline and land surrounding the area were being conducted when weather and tidal conditions allowed.
Police are continuing to urge the public to stay vigilant.
Anyone with information can contact police on (03) 471-5002 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.
