2nd New Zealand Parliament

2nd Parliament of New Zealand
1st Parliament 3rd Parliament
Overview
Legislative bodyNew Zealand Parliament
Term15 April 1856 – 5 November 1860
Election1855 New Zealand general election
GovernmentSewell ministry (until 1856)
First Fox ministry (1856)
First Stafford ministry (from 1856)
House of Representatives
Members37
Speaker of the HouseSir Charles Clifford
Colonial SecretaryEdward Stafford
— from 2 June 1856
William Fox
— 20 May – 2 June 1856
Henry Sewell
— until 20 May 1856
Legislative Council
Members13 (at start)
19 (at end)
Speaker of the CouncilThomas Bartley
Frederick Whitaker until 12 May 1856
Sovereign
MonarchHM Queen Victoria
GovernorHE 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.