The “AEN” shares started trading last Monday in the United States.

Wellington-headquartered Austral chief executive David Bennett said his company was pleased to list on the Amex, America's second largest exchange after the New York Stock Exchange.

“We look forward to continuing our vigorous growth strategy for the company through 2005 and beyond," Bennett said.

The specialist in Austral Pacific Energy will be Cohen Specialists. As well, Austral has appointed ex-Shell NZ executive Bruce McGregor as its new chief financial officer, replacing Nigel Robinson who resigned recently. McGregor has worked in the New Zealand oil and gas industry since 1994 where he has held senior accounting and finance roles for New Zealand corporations such as Methanex and Fletcher Challenge Energy.

This year’s annual meeting for Austral, a Canadian incorporated company, will be on May 4 at the company’s Canadian attorneys’ offices in Vancouver, British Columbia.