Governor, George Grey, with the advice of the Civil Secretary and some officials that were appointed back in 1840/41, namely Andrew Sinclair (Colonial Secretary), William Swainson (Attorney-General), and Alexander Shepherd (Colonial Treasurer). In the first session of the 1st New Zealand Parliament, three elected member took office under the leadership of James FitzGerald, to be later joined by two members of the Legislative Council. Whilst they were the first official Executive Government under the Constitution, the practical administration remained with the Government officials. The second Ministry led by Thomas Forsaith, which briefly formed during the second session of the 1st Parliament, also had no real power. Unofficial members: Fitzgerald Ministry, 1854; 14 June 1854 to 2 August 1854 Unofficial members: Forsaith Ministry, 1854; 31 August 1854 to 2 September 1854 Cabinet Government (1856–1890) Responsible government commenced with the third ministry, led by Henry Sewell during the term of the 2nd New Zealand Parliament: Sewell Ministry, 1856: 18 April 1856 to 20 May 1856 Fox Ministry, 1856: 20 May 1856 to 2 June 1856 Stafford Ministry, 1856–61: 2 June 1856 to 12 July 1861 Fox Ministry, 1861–62: 12 July 1861 to 6 August 1862 Domett Ministry, 1862–63: 6 August 1862 to 30 October 1863 Whitaker-Fox Ministry, 1863–64: 30 October 1863 to 24 November 1864 Weld Ministry, 1864–65: 24 November 1864 to 16 October 1865 Stafford Ministry, 1865–69: 16 October 1865 to 28 June 1869 Note that Wilson says: "Ministry was defeated on 15 August 1866 and resigned, but carried on in a caretaker capacity. However 3 Ministers resigned and were replaced. Though this was regarded as a new ministry, it was in fact a reconstruction, and is so regarded here." Fox Ministry, 1869–72: 28 June 1869 to 10 September 1872 Stafford Ministry, 1872: 10 September 1872 to 11 October 1872 Waterhouse Ministry, 1872–73: 11 October 1872 to 3 March 1873 Fox Ministry, 1873: 3 March 1873 to 8 April 1873 Vogel Ministry, 1873–75: 8 April 1873 to 6 July 1875 Pollen Ministry, 1875–76: 6 July 1875 to 15 February 1876 Vogel Ministry, 1876: 15 February 1876 to 1 September 1876 Atkinson Ministry, 1876: 1 September 1876 to 13 September 1876 (Continuous Ministry) Atkinson Ministry, 1876–77 (Reconstituted): 13 September 1876 to 13 October 1877 (Continuous Ministry) Grey Ministry, 1877–79: 13 October 1877 to 8 October 1879 Hall Ministry, 1879–82: 8 October 1879 to 21 April 1882 (Continuous Ministry) Whitaker Ministry, 1882–83: 21