National list MP Paul Foster-Bell will stand down at the election, after pulling out of the candidate selection race for Wellington Central.

Mr Foster-Bell, a former diplomat, first entered parliament in 2013, replacing Dr Jackie Blue.

"Today I informed local National Party members that I am withdrawing my name from consideration for selection in Wellington Central, and that I will not seek a place on National's list for the 2017 general election," he said.

A contest for selection will only distract National, he says.

"Serving as a member of parliament has been a distinct honour, but now is the right time for me to pursue other opportunities," Mr Foster-Bell says.

He will be backing National's Wellington Central candidate.

As the National Party representative on the Cross-Party Rainbow Group, Mr Foster-Bell was a vocal critic of Brian Tamaki's homophobic comments last year.