New Zealand's new Prime Minister is already on a big mission
just hours after being sworn in at parliament's Grand Hall.
Six years after becoming an MP, John Key now officially heads the
first National-led government in almost a decade.
He has taken control of the country and his brand new Cabinet with a healthy fear about what's to come for this government in terms of the economy.
Many of the ministers are new to the job and will be looking to old hands to guide them through.
"It's going to be important to have a government that keeps its nerve in the short-term and focuses on lifting economic productivity in the future," says Bill English, Finance Minister.
There was no mucking around for Key's new ministerial team which was down to business with a Cabinet meeting just hours after the pomp and ceremony of being sworn in.
"I, John Philip Key, solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second," he said, his family watching on as he became the country's 38th prime minister.
Governor General Anand Satyanand referred to Key's role in exercising the power of government.
And Key was taking seriously the gentle reminder about the power he will wield and which he will share with a team of 28 new ministers also promising to be true and faithful in their service to the country.
Ministers from other parties got their titles because they are supporting the National-led government. Key acknowledged the importance of that under MMP and his team of representatives from four separate parties put on a strong show of togetherness.
Key happily shared his big moment with those closest to him - his family - and took a brief moment to reflect on how he has made it from international money trader to Prime Minister in just six years.
"It's a combination of a boyhood dream and it's an amazing opportunity," he says.
And it's an opportunity he's vowing to make the most of.
Key leaves the country on Thursday for an Apec meeting in Peru and then to London to meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The new Prime Minister has set a hectic pace since the election, forging support agreements with three minor parties that give him 70 confidence votes in the 122-member parliament.
Key will be one of the youngest prime ministers at just 47, and the first male prime minister since Jim Bolger in 1997.
Clark bows out
Meanwhile, Key's predecessor Helen Clark left parliament for the last time as Prime Minister.
She was farewelled by hundreds of supporters as she made her way to Government House to hand in her warrant.
Clark is the country's first elected female Prime Minister and the longest serving woman member among current MPs.
The 58-year-old was acknowledged by friends and foe alike as one of the country's strongest leaders.
She has been involved with the Labour Party for more than 35 years and was leader for 15 years.
Clark will remain in parliament as the MP for Mt Albert and will be Labour's spokesperson on foreign affairs.
Click here to see the full list of New Zealand's Premiers and Prime Ministers
