But as alarm grew and the virus spread into other countries, the Government's network of science advisers stepped up.
The Government decided very early on to reject the herd immunity model where the majority of the population is infected but develops an immunity - but can come at the cost of thousands of lives.
"That was not us. It was never entertained by us."
Instead, they wanted opted to "flatten the curve", she told Stuff.
Ardern told the podcast she hadn't looked back too much and wondered what could have happened if they'd moved sooner.
"Because at every moment we've just worked to keep staying ahead ... and so there's lots of moments where I thought, 'If I'd known what I know now, a month ago what would we have done differently?'
"But that's really an impossible comparison to make. We in a sense have managed to do that, though, where other countries haven't."
New Zealand PM @jacindaardern & I spoke tdy. We updated each other on how we were managing COVID-19 & discussed how we can support each other during this time, including keeping supply chains intact between our countries. – LHL https://t.co/n73ibQyYWUpic.twitter.com/HmqZTjbCkg
Despite no longer having direct contact with anyone outside her bubbles, Ardern said because she still runs her own social media accounts she still has a direct line to New Zealanders.
NeedToKnow3
With wider frustrations about which businesses were deemed essential and which would have to shut, Ardern said there was "probably always going to be a bit of tension" because of the speed the Government had to move.
In her home bubble in Premier House, Ardern lives with her partner Clark Gayford, their daughter Neve and her parents.
