The Prime Minister says she wouldn't use a word like "embarrassing" if one of her MPs was taking leave for personal health issues.

Yesterday, National Leader Simon Bridges said Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross was taking time off for as "potentially embarrassing" reasons.

He later backtracked - saying that was perhaps not the right word.

Bridges says he simply meant that like anyone else, MPs would rather not be talking about personal health issues in public.

Asked about the words on The Country, Jacinda Ardern told Jamie Mackay she was "not sure" what that reference was.

"I think we should always be pretty careful when someone's taking time of, to look after members of our own teams.

Ardern says leaders are judged individually on the way they choose to lead their team.

She says she hopes she leads hers in a way that does really look after their well-being.

LISTEN TO JACINDA ARDERN TALK WITH JAMIE MACKAY ABOVE