Border protections have been ratcheted up again, as New Zealanders continue to return home in droves.
It comes after two new positive cases on Monday - one is a teenage woman who arrived from Pakistan, and was on the same flights from Doha and Melbourne as another confirmed case.
The other case is a man in his 30s who has returned from India, again, on the same flight as another confirmed case, and is staying at the Grand Millennium.
The Prime Minister says with a steady increase in infections overseas, the world is entering a 'dangerous new phase', with now more than 8 million cases reported globally.
Ardern has also flagged the future possibility of people being asked to help cover the cost of their quarantine or managed isolation.
The government has admitted to some failings, in particular two women being allowed to leave without being tested, then later testing positive.
Ardern says a new health order is now in place. And the ban on cruise ships, due to expire at the end of the month, has been extended by two or three months.
More than $80 million has already been spent on quarantine and managed isolation facilities, but Ms Ardern says protecting New Zealand through strong border controls is the priority.
But Ms Ardern says the government may look to share that cost. The government has budgeted nearly $300 million for quarantining and managed isolation up until the end of the year - however it might not end up costing that much if co-payments are imposed.
Cabinet ministers also agreed to an ongoing surveillance testing regime, both within the community and for those at high risk, for example working at the border.