Bill English is New Zealand's presumptive Prime Minister after rival Jonathan Coleman pulled out of the race for the top job.

Bill was the last MP standing in what started out as a three-horse race for the National leadership, with Jonathan conceding late this afternoon and Judith Collins pulling out of the race earlier today.

But it looks like Bill won't be counting any of his chickens until they've hatched as the National caucus still has to vote him into the role on Monday.

'While it appears I have the support of caucus on Monday, that hasn't happened, so I'm not going to be making pronouncements as an assumed leader of the party.

'I do want to acknowledge the contributions of my fellow candidates for the leadership, but also the responsible, civil and constructive way that our caucus has debated a whole lot of issues.

It's going to allow us to reset, look forward and continue to provide New Zealand with good Government after John Key.”

Jonathan says he'll back Bill 100 per cent and wants the Government to win a fourth term but won't be putting his name forward to be deputy. While he would have loved to be PM, he is not disappointed by the outcome and says the party is totally unified,reports Fairfax.

With the race for National leader and PM now over, the attention now shifts to the battle for the deputy leadership between Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Upper Harbour MP Paula Bennett.

-Additional reporting: Stuff.co.nz