KEY POINTS:
The Prime Minister has left the building - and a new one has entered.
Helen Clark yesterday walked down the steps of Parliament for the final time as Prime Minister with more than 200 staff and colleagues giving her an emotional sendoff.
Determined to acknowledge her contribution, the crowd clapped and cheered Helen Clark all the way to the limousine waiting to whisk her to Government House where she resigned her warrants.
Since election night, Helen Clark has kept out of the public eye and refused interviews. Yesterday she managed a grateful smile for supporters and paused briefly at the top of the steps for a hug or two with senior colleagues.
For just a moment it looked as though the emotion of the scene might overwhelm her, but in typical Helen Clark-style she straightened her back, maintained her poise and walked briskly to the car.
It was a poignant ending to nine years in power. Outgoing Deputy PM Michael Cullen's eyes welled with tears as he waved at the departing vehicle.
Just two hours later the country had a new Prime Minister.
John Key, with wife Bronagh and children Stephie and Max sitting proudly behind him, realised a boyhood dream as he was sworn in by Governor-General Anand Satyanand.
All but two of the 28 members of the new Executive were sworn in at the long and polished table in the Grand Hall of Parliament, most with family or colleagues in the audience.
As each was sworn in, Mr Key nodded and smiled.
One senior minister who could not wipe a broad grin from his face was Tony Ryall, who was celebrating his 44th birthday as well as promotion to the Health Minister's role.
Maori Party MPs, too, were grinning. When Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia entered the room their MPs, staff and family sang Toia Mai te Waka - a chant welcoming a waka to its berth. Further down the table, new Courts Minister Georgina te Heuheu and Denese Henare, wife of Defence Minister Wayne Mapp, joined in.
A quiet "kia ora" rang out from the Maori Party MPs whenever the name of a new minister who was Maori was read out. Mrs Turia smiled and muttered a blessing under her breath after Social Development Minister Paula Bennett took the oath of office.
There was even time for a lighter moment at the Maori Party end of the table as the portfolios were allocated and it came to Dr Sharples.
"You got Maori Affairs, Pita," Hone Harawira hissed in mock surprise.
A couple of hours after the obligatory photo of the new Executive it was straight down to business with the first Cabinet meeting - and for some it was the first visit to the room where the big decisions are made.
The Prime Minister eventually took his place at the head of the table - and after yet another photo opportunity it was time for some work.
His first night as PM would be spent preparing for Apec but Mr Key admitted there might also be a celebration. "I am sure there will be a glass of something nice when I get home."
* The ministers missing from the swearing-in were Murray McCully (Foreign Affairs) and Tim Groser (Trade), who are already at Apec.
