Stafford Ministry, 1856–1861
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The Right Honourable Sir Edward William Stafford GCMG |
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| 3rd Premier of New Zealand | |
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In office 2 June 1856 – 12 July 1861 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Governor | Thomas Gore Browne |
| Preceded by | William Fox |
| Succeeded by | William Fox |
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In office 16 October 1865 – 28 June 1869 |
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| Governor | George Grey |
| Preceded by | Frederick Weld |
| Succeeded by | William Fox |
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In office 10 September 1872 – 11 October 1872 |
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| Governor | George Bowen |
| Preceded by | William Fox |
| Succeeded by | George Waterhouse |
| 6th Colonial Secretary | |
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In office 4 November 1856 – 12 July 1861 |
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| Preceded by | William Richmond |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Featherston |
| 1st Superintendent of Nelson Province | |
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In office 1 August 1853 – September 1856 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | John Perry Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
23 April 1819 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 14 February 1901 (aged 81) London, England |
| Political party | None |
| Spouse(s) | Emily Wakefield (m. 1846) Mary Bartley (m. 1859) |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin |
| Signature |  |
Sir Edward Stafford GCMG (23 April 1819 – 14 February 1901) served as the third Premier of New Zealand on three occasions in the mid 19th century. His total time in office is the longest of any leader without a political party. He is described as pragmatic, logical, and clear-sighted.
Edward William Stafford was born on 23 April 1819 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His family was prosperous, enabling him to receive a good education, first at the Royal School Dungannon in Ireland where he excelled as a scholar, and then at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1841–42, he undertook travel in Australia, but chose to join relatives in Nelson, New Zealand in 1843, where he soon became active in politics, criticising Governor Robert FitzRoy's "weak" response to the Wairau Affray. In 1850, he joined increasing calls for New Zealand's self-government, including universal suffrage.
In 1853, Stafford became the first Superintendent of Nelson Province. Among his achievements was the establishment of an education system (compulsory, free, and secular) which was later used as the basis of the national system. His administration of Nelson Province was well regarded by many.
When the New Zealand Parliament was opened, however, Stafford did not seek election, claiming that it was inappropriate to enter national politics while still holding provincial office. Despite requests from politicians such as Henry Sewell, Stafford declined to stand for parliament until the election of 1855, when he was elected MP for Nelson 1855–68 (resigned).
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