New Zealand has been left out of an agreement that lets the other Five Eyes nations search each others' DNA databases.
New Zealand's current law does not allow for DNA data sharing, a police spokesperson said. Photo: AFP
Australia and the United Kingdom have signed a memorandum of understanding and the programme will also include the United States and Canada.
Australia's Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, said the agreement would allow the partner countries to fight transnational crime.
Mr Keenan said other biometric data could also be exchanged in future.
However, a police spokesperson said New Zealand had not been asked to be part of the agreement, as current law does not allow for DNA data sharing.
The spokesperson said on the few occasions New Zealand needed DNA information from other countries, it could request it through Interpol.