New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern lightened the mood at a press conference earlier this week by expressing her concern that one reporter was not getting enough sleep.

Ms Ardern’s comment came after a journalist called Jason forgot the question he had planned to put to her.

The prime minister said: “We’ll come back to you – no problem. I do worry about your sleep at the moment though, Jason.”

Her response prompted laughter from those who were attending the press conference on Monday.

Ms Ardern’s other recent highlights include classifying the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny as “essential workers” during the lockdown, and taking a 20 per cent pay cut in solidarity with the people of New Zealand.

Significant restrictions will remain in place even if the government decides to ease its month-long lockdown, Ms Ardern announced this week.

A decision on whether or not to lift the lockdown will be made on 20 April.

New Zealand introduced its “level 4” lockdown measures in March, meaning offices, schools and non-essential services such as restaurants are closed.

This is a wider range of restrictions than its neighbour, Australia, which has allowed some businesses to continue operating.

Ms Ardern said on Thursday there would be no “rush to normality” even if the country moves to “level 3” restrictions.

“We have an opportunity to do something no other country has achieved, eliminating the virus,” she added.

As of Thursday, 1,401 people have tested positive for the virus in New Zealand and nine people have died as a result of it.

New Zealand has won global plaudits for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.