New Zealand has a three-horse race for those vying to become prime minister after the shock resignation of John Key.
The popular leader stunned parliament and the nation when he announced on Monday he was stepping down after eight years.
Key said he was bowing out because he wasn't able to look the public in the eye through an election campaign and commit to serving a full fourth term.
He also made the call for family reasons, saying his wife Bronagh had spent many nights alone and there had been "extraordinary levels of intrusion and pressure" for his children Stephie and Max.
On Tuesday, MPs Judith Collins and Jonathan Coleman threw their hats into the ring to challenge deputy prime minister Bill English.
The trio confirmed they would seek the backing of caucus next Monday to succeed Key as PM.
Coleman and English confirmed their intentions to reporters after emerging from the conservative party's caucus meeting on Tuesday.
Collins kept her options open after the caucus meeting but confirmed later in the day she would run, saying she'll find out on Monday if she had the numbers.
While English initially emerged as a favourite having received Key's endorsement, he doesn't believe that or the fact he is the current deputy will give him any advantage in the race.
He's also not too concerned about his history as the party's leader. In 2002 he led National to its worst ever general election defeat with just 21 per cent of the vote.
"You learn as much from losing as you do from winning," he said.
"I've worked closely with the prime minister, learnt an awful lot in those 15 years and I think it's partly because of that experience I can see the opportunities ahead."
