| 2nd Parliament of New Zealand | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| Overview | |||||
| Legislative body | New Zealand Parliament | ||||
| Term | 15 April 1856 – 5 November 1860 | ||||
| Election | 1855 New Zealand general election | ||||
| Government | Sewell ministry (until 1856) First Fox ministry (1856) First Stafford ministry (from 1856) | ||||
| House of Representatives | |||||
| Members | 37 | ||||
| Speaker of the House | Sir Charles Clifford | ||||
| Colonial Secretary | Edward Stafford — from 2 June 1856 William Fox — 20 May – 2 June 1856 Henry Sewell — until 20 May 1856 | ||||
| Legislative Council | |||||
| Members | 13 (at start) 19 (at end) | ||||
| Speaker of the Council | Thomas Bartley — Frederick Whitaker until 12 May 1856 | ||||
| Sovereign | |||||
| Monarch | HM Queen Victoria | ||||
| Governor | HE Rt. Hon Colonel Thomas Browne | ||||
The 2nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 15 April 1856, following New Zealand's 1855 election. It was dissolved on 5 November 1860 in preparation for 1860–61 election. The 2nd Parliament was the first under which New Zealand had responsible government, meaning that unlike previously, the Cabinet was chosen (although not officially appointed) by Parliament rather than by the Governor-General of New Zealand.