The changing of the guard within the National Party could see Rangitikei MP Simon Power elevated to deputy leader early next week.
But while Mr Power has indicated he is "interested" in the position, he will not be drawn on who he will be backing in the leadership race following the resignation of Don Brash on Thursday.
The early frontrunner is the party's finance spokesman John Key, although former leader Bill English is rumoured to be considering the role.
"There's still a long way to go on this one (the leadership) and I'm not sure whether it would be fair to make a call before we know exactly what the lie of the land is ? and right now we don't know" Mr Power told the Chronicle.
He said he could not say for sure when the leadership issue would be resolved although the party's caucus is due to hold a special meeting on Monday.
"These things have a way of determining their own timeline, but I'm certainly not interested in the leadership role. I'd be reluctant to say who I would be supporting until I knew exactly who as in the running," he said.
Yesterday was a day in the electorate yesterday for Mr Power, among other things taking reading classes at Waituna West school.
If he gained the party's deputy leadership he said his electorate work would not suffer. He said as chief party whip he was able to devote as much time as he always had to home base duties, even though his workload increased in that role.
While he had not made a decision on the deputy-leadership, he confirmed he had been sounding out support among caucus colleagues yesterday.
"Some of my colleagues have approached me about it and I'm taking advice from a range of colleagues in the caucus and I remain pretty open-minded about it. I would expect to have a fair idea of what I was doing come Sunday night," he told the Chronicle.
As chief whip Mr Power said he understood how to run a caucus and for the past 14 months had the task of "minding" the new National backbenchers.
"I've done a range of jobs that I think would be helpful, but if the caucus is not of a mind to see me putting my hand up, then I'm more than happy to get on with the law and order spokesman's job."
Mr Power said the change of leadership should not be seen as a sign of disarray within the National Party in Parliament.
"When you look across our front bench there's a depth of talent there now that over the last 14 months since the election has worked extremely well together and with a level of trust I haven't seen in my seven years in Parliament."
If he does challenge for the leadership, Mr Power will probably find himself up against incumbent Gerry Brownlee, and perhaps Clevedon MP Judith Collins, who is also said to be considering throwing her hat in the ring.
Power puts hand up for deputy's role
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