(Updates to close)
Aug. 30 (Reuters) - Australian shares recovered on Tuesday to close slightly higher after overnight strength on Wall Street and upbeat U.S. consumer spending data lifted sentiment. benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO finished up 9.083 points, or 0.17 percent, at 5478.3.
Gains were driven by healthcare and energy stocks, with hospital operator Ramsay Health Care Ltd RHC.AX closing at a record high after it reported its full-year earnings. Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 closed 0.28 percent, or 20.6 points, higher to finish the session at 7387.95.
Auckland International Airport Ltd AIA.NZ and medical devices maker Fisher & Paykel Ltd FPH.NZ were the biggest gainers on the index.