A court's heard DNA from Malcolm Rewa was found on slain Auckland woman Susan Burdett

Rewa is on trial in the High Court - facing a charge of murdering Burdett 27 years ago, for a third time.

In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Gareth Kayes says the attack on Burdett bears a striking resemblance to sexual assaults Rewa has been convicted of.

But Rewa's lawyer says his client denies being involved in Burdett's rape - and has already been found "innocent in law" - on the murder charge.