From the outset, Sir George Grey served as Prime Minister.

As Premier, Grey was highly active in promoting middle-class liberalism to New Zealanders sponsoring ideas such as electoral reform, land taxes, breaking up large estates, regulation of wages and working hours and accessible education.

Soon after the economy began to slide into recession, which caused much unemployment and as a result, unpopularity.

The next year Grey's government lost a division in the House triggering an election.

[1] The following members served in the Grey Ministry:[2] List of New Zealand governments