At 11am today, history was made.  
Our Co-leaders, Pita and Tariana, entered the Grand Hall of Parliament, were announced by the Aide-De-Camp; and then introduced by the Prime Minister to The Governor General.  

As they walked towards their seats at the table, their colleagues, and fellow MPs Hone Harawira, Te Ururoa Flavell and Rahui Katene, honoured them with the haka powhiri, toia mai te waka.  

Pita and Tariana then read their Oaths/Affirmations in te reo Maori and received their Ministerial warrants, as members of the Executive Council.   It was an incredible moment in time, to reflect over all that we have achieved in our first years as the Maori Party.   Congratulations to us all!   Let us celebrate this historic moment and be proud of our hard work, our unity, and the dedicated commitment towards the expression of our kaupapa.   and while we enjoy the excitement of today, let's think back over the last 1665 days....

30 April 2004: Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia confirmed she will resign from Labour and fight a by-election in her Te Tai Hauauru electorate.  Ms Turia  announced from Ratana Pa in front of around 300 supporters that she will cross the floor and vote against the Government over its seabed and foreshore bill. She said she will formally resign from the Labour Party on Friday May 19.

5 May 2004: Hikoi to Paremata by approximately 40,000 New Zealanders

6 May 2004: First Reading of the Foreshore and Seabed Bill.

23 May 2004: At a hui of over 200 people at Hoani Waititi Marae in Auckland  it was agreed that the interim name of the party shall be the ‘Maori Party'

24 May 2004: A hui of 1000 people at Turangawaewae Marae - called by Tainui to get an update on the foreshore and seabed proposal and to discuss the new Maori party - overwhelmingly endorsed resolutions supporting the creation of the party and the appointment of interim leaders.

9 July 2004: The Electoral Commission meeting resolved to register Maori Party as a political party, allowing the party to contest the party vote at a general election.

10 July 2004: Te Tai Hauauru by election.  Tariana Turia won with over 90% of the vote.

11 July 2004: Inaugural AGM to establish Maori Party attended by over 1000 people in Whanganui.

27 July 2004: Tariana Turia sworn in as Maori Party MP for Te Tai Hauauru.

17 September 2005: Dr Pita Sharples, Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Harawira elected in the General Election 2005, to join Tariana Turia as the Maori Party in the 48th Parliament.

8 November 2008: Rahui Katene elected to join Tariana Turia, Dr Pita Sharples, Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Harawira in the 49th Parliament.

16 November 2008: Maori Party signs Relationship Agreement with National Party, providing confidence and supply in Government.

19 November 2008: Dr Pita Sharples appointed Minister of Maori Affairs; Hon Tariana Turia appointed Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector; and both become members of the Executive in the National-led Government.