(Updates to close)
SYDNEY, May 31 (Reuters) - Australian shares ended lower on Tuesday, lacking direction due to the absence of impetus from the United States, where markets were closed for a public holiday on Monday.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO ended down 0.54 percent, or 29.417 points at 5378.600
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 climbed 0.282 percent or 19.770 points to finish the session at 7039.410.