Dr Ashley Bloomfield received his first test for COVID-19 on Tuesday in an attempt to eliminate the stigma around the notoriously uncomfortable swab.
Throughout July the Ministry of Health encouraged more Kiwis to get tested for coronavirus as testing rates fell.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins admitted New Zealanders were reluctant to take the test, in which a swab gets put up the back of the nose, but said the public needs to think about the greater good it could do.
Until Tuesday, Dr Bloomfield hadn't been tested but had said if he was offered a test: "I wouldn't hesitate to come and get one".
During the 1pm COVID-19 update in Porirua, Dr Bloomfield revealed a doctor at Ora Toa Cannons Creek Medical Centre had "kindly recommended that I do have a swab today".
"Fortunately I have been well so far this year and not in a position where I needed a swab," he said.
"I'm not expecting anyone to do anything I wouldn't do myself."
After receiving the test, the Director-General of Health said it was "a little bit uncomfortable but not unpleasant at all".
"Well I noticed I was having a swab and as you can see it made my eyes water which was a bit involuntary. But [the swab was] not painful and way less uncomfortable than when fizzy drink goes up the back of your nose which you might remember from when you were a child, I certainly do."
He said the test had been "talked up quite a bit" but was less uncomfortable than he was expecting.
“It was much less painful than tackling Billy Weepu on the rugby field a couple of weeks ago. I've still got the bruise to show for that...
"I'd recommend to people, if you’re offered a swab, go ahead and do it.
"Say yes to the test."
New Zealand recorded one new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday - a man who had travelled from Melbourne and tested positive during his stay in a managed isolation facility.
"He has tested positive around day 12 of his stay and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility," the Ministry of Health said in a statement.
"This case brings our total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 to 1220, which is the number we report to the World Health Organization."
There are currently 22 active cases in New Zealand.
