Simon Bridges has denied trying to cover up complaints against Jami-Lee Ross saying he "got it right" at every step.

The National leader's comments follow the release of a new secret recording between Ross and Bridges in which Bridges promises his "100 percent assurance" that he will not divulge details of why Ross was to take medical leave from Parliament. 

Bridges told Newstalk ZB he believes he did the right thing by not publicly disclosing the harassment allegations against Ross.

"It was always going to be the case given the health issues that I would never be able to talk about it openly.

"What happened was, we were dealing with a very serious, complex matter and balancing and factoring in allegations of inappropriate and disruptive conduct with very serious health matters and I feel certain we got this right for all concerned.

The National leader said the complaints discussed in the tape were different to the "very serious allegations" which were later made public by the media. 

"I know that we were acting in accordance with the women's interests and what they wanted, but I had to also balance a situation where the person concerned had very serious health issues and we were getting specialist advice on how to do with that.

"I did the right thing here. I was trying to act with immediacy whilst also being clear that we couldn't have Jami-Lee Ross in the workplace and he needed time to get well on leave."

Bridges said he has made it clear he regretted saying the reason for Ross' leave was "embarrassing".

He rejected that he had prioritised the reputation of the party over the serious allegations.

"It was about insuring we had a good workplace and insuring that someone with the issues that were there went on leave."

The incomplete recording features Ross talking to Bridges and deputy leader Paula Bennett before the Botany MP took medical leave from Parliament in early October.

The tape confirms Ross' alleged harassment of women was raised during the discussion, as was his alleged disloyalty to the National Party.

During the conversation, the trio discuss minimising media coverage of Ross' decision to take medical leave. They also discuss whether