New Zealand Oil and Gas Producer TAG Oil Announces Executive Appointments

VANCOUVER , Dec. 2 /CNW/ - New Zealand oil producer and explorer TAG Oil Ltd. (TSX-V: TAO) is pleased to announce executive appointments to the Company's management team. Blair C. Johnson has accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer while Drew Cadenhead , who has played various roles with TAG since 2003, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Cadenhead are both based full time in New Zealand .

"I am very pleased with these appointments, as both individuals are proven members of our team, and bring strong corporate and technical skill sets that compliment TAG's vision to become a leading New Zealand energy company," TAG CEO Garth Johnson commented on the appointments.

Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Management Studies with First Class Honors in Accounting and Marketing, and has worked with the Company for the last four years. His responsibilities have included corporate governance and accounting functions for TAG's New Zealand subsidiaries. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand . Prior to joining TAG, Mr. Johnson was Finance Director for Bridge Petroleum Limited (NZ) and has an exceptional track record of managing operational risk in highly regulated industries.

Mr. Cadenhead received extensive technical training and in-depth knowledge of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin during his 24 years based in Calgary , including thirteen of those years with Canadian Hunter Exploration. He also worked in various leadership capacities for a number of other Canadian-based companies including Ulster Petroleum, Selkirk Energy and Summit Resources. At Summit, he was responsible for identifying and leading the company into the Gunnell area of BC to test the Upper Devonian Jean Marie Formation where multi-TCF gas deposits were subsequently discovered. Mr. Cadenhead gained his New Zealand experience with Fletcher Challenge Energy Taranaki, leading a team of geoscientists, engineers and technical support staff into a successful multi-well drilling program and secondary recovery implementation before joining TAG Oil in 2003. Drew holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from the University of Calgary , and is a member of APEGGA.

Mr. Johnson further commented. "Now that we have assumed control over all of our assets, we are confident that TAG is building a strong foundation of highly motivated and skilled team members, committed to supporting TAG's corporate and operational excellence as well as executing our ambitious business strategy."

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Garth Johnson, CEO, TAG Oil Ltd., [phone], Website: http://www.tagoil.com