New Zealand is a relatively small, isolated country. Yet in Jacinda Ardern it has a big-thinking, calm, rational leader.

The demand for one of those may be high, but the supply is low.

Some acknowledgments before we go a step further: small and isolated is a benefit right now; as is small population; this is no comment on our neighbour's domestic or even international policies - just on this moment in time. This head-shakingly monumental moment in time.

Three days ago the Kiwis announced a four-step COVID-19 alert system, on Monday she announced Level 3 would be effective immediately, and Level 4 come into place tomorrow at 11.59pm.

It was definitive and direct messaging. It was Leadership 101.

Ms Ardern made the choice eminently clear - take the time to self-isolate, do it diligently and put up with the temporary deprivations or potentially endure the worst case scenario: "the greatest loss of lives in NZ history".

It doesn't get more confronting than that. Or more clear.

The world became aware of Ardern's instinctive leadership two years and two weeks ago after the tragic Christchurch mosque shooting.

And as was the case then there was no public soliloquies full of hail or brimstone, no belligerence and no bumbling. And yes, in both instances, admittedly there are no questions, either.

But you just might find Jacinda Ardern's words filling a void other leaders haven't managed to plug. It might be exactly what you might need right now.

You can watch the full press conference here or maybe just try this snippet:

And if you're keen to learn more about the work our Antipodean neighbours have done in the background, try this: