A neighbour who helped search for three-year-old Lachlan Jones has told an Invercargill Coroner's inquest, she trusts his mother's version of events

The child died in Gore five years ago, found in an oxidation pond about a kilometre from his home.

Police concluded he walked there - but his father, Paul, believes he was murdered.

Deborah Thurston has told the court her statement to police alleging mother Michelle Officer had said "Lachie has done her a favour" - was taken out of context.

She says at the time, Officer was frustrated with the boy's father, Paul.