Police in the UK have confirmed that a DNA test has shown a New Zealand girl who bears a striking resemblance to a missing British child is not Madeleine McCann.
New Zealand police sent a DNA sample to counterparts in London hoping to put to rest persistent rumours that she is the missing girl.
Madeleine McCann disappeared at the age of three from a Portugal resort in 2007, while her parents were eating dinner nearby.
The Southland child has the rare eye defect Coloboma, which makes the iris appear to be split, the same condition evident in Madeleine McCann's right eye.
The first report about the Southland girl was in 2007, with police confirming more than two years later that she was not Madeleine.
The Metropolitan Police in London say they are now satisfied the girl in New Zealand is not Madeleine.
