National MP Jonathan Coleman has confirmed he will not contest the party's leadership.
Jonathan Coleman Photo: RNZ
Three senior MPs - Judith Collins, Simon Bridges and Amy Adams - have declared themselves contenders after Bill English announced he was retiring from politics.
Dr Coleman unsuccessfully stood for the party's leadership in 2016 when then-Prime Minister John Key resigned, but he said this time he had decided against it.
"In the end I looked at who would be best to lead the party, and it's one of those three."
Dr Coleman would not say who he would be supporting for leader.