Judy Bailey

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Judy Bailey

Judy Bailey (born 1953) is a former news presenter for ONE News, the highest rated evening television news programme in New Zealand. She has been called the "Mother of the Nation".

Bailey joined the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (now Television New Zealand) in 1971 and worked as a reporter on news and current affairs programs. She presented the regional news with John Hawkesby for Auckland from 1980 - 1987 in the program Top Half. From late 1987, she presented the Network News at Six news bulletin (alongside Richard Long until the end of 2003). A reshuffle in TVNZ following the departure of Paul Holmes in 2004 saw her become the sole news presenter for the 6pm ONE News bulletin, and her salary soared to NZ$800,000. The size of the salary was criticised by the government, despite it being fully funded from TVNZ's own commercial revenues and not involving taxpayer money.

On October 3, 2005, Television New Zealand announced it was not renewing her contract despite her immense popularity, as it planned a rejuvation of its news programs to combat slipping market share. Her final day fronting the 6pm One News bulletin was 23 December 2005. Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie took over in January 2006.

Her next role on television was on Māori Television on ANZAC Day (25 April 2006), where she co-hosted the 6 am to midnight coverage of events.

Her autobiography was released in late 2006.