Wellington, Feb 17 NZPA - Nelson police are asking rural property owners to check sheds and garages in the ongoing search for Leo Lipp-Neighbours.

The 19-year-old has been missing since January 24.

He was last seen about 4am when he left his flat and drove away in his distinctive orange Toyota Corolla station wagon, registration NQ7258.

Neither Mr Lipp-Neighbours nor his car have been seen since.

Police received a number of calls over the weekend about possible sightings of the car. They extended as far north as Devonport, Auckland and as far south as Punakaiki on the West Coast.

Police followed up on the information but have eliminated all the reported sightings.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Langridge said a large search operation had so far found nothing.

"A huge part of the upper South Island has now been covered by air, road and foot. It's hard to imagine where Leo's distinctive car is and why we haven't found it."

In addition to the Search and Rescue volunteers walking the main arterial routes over the weekend, kayakers searched the Buller river, which was very low and clear. No evidence was found of Mr Lipp-Neighbours' car having gone into the river.

"I ask that the owners of vacant properties and rural land owners in the Nelson Bays and Marlborough areas check any garages or farm sheds which haven't been visited since the 24th of January. It's another possibility we wish to eliminate -- Leo may have driven into a vacant property or rural shed and may still be there, which is why we haven't found him.

"Another possibility is that his car has gone into deep water along State Highway 1 where the car would not be visible," Mr Langridge said.