Judy Bailey (Mother of the Nation) is a highly regarded reporter, journalist and producer both in NZ and Internationally. Judy Bailey is very well known across New Zealand for presenting the highest rated evening television news programme, One News. Judy Bailey has had an amazing career with some astonishing feats including being a part of numerous television shows and of course delivering the news to her nation.

 

Judy Bailey was born in 1953. Judy knew from an early age that she wanted a career in Journalism, not broadcasting at first. She liked the idea of writing for women’s magazines and that is what she aimed to do originally. Judy went to study journalism at Wellington polytechnic, after she graduated she joined the New Zealand broadcasting corporation as a Television and Radio reporter.

 

The next step in Judy Bailey’s career came in 1980 where she started on a show called Top Half as a newsreader with John Hawkesby. Judy loved working on Top Half and remained with the show for six years. Judy found her co-host John Hawkesby to be a big influence professionally on her presenting career. In 1986 Judy started presenting on One News at 6pm and earned her fame internationally as a very popular broadcaster. Judy read the news with Richard Long who like John Hawkesby was a big influence professionally on her presenting career.

 

When Judy’s career with One News ended in 2005, she continued to pursue other areas of television and slow down a little. She is known for doing the yearly Maori News Anzac coverage and also some journalism and travel presenting. She has continued with her successful career as well as finding fame from new aspects of television.

 

Judy Bailey has had a very successful career in reporting, and presenting. She is well renown for her professional yet personable reporting style earning her the title of Mother of the Nation. Judy is a popular and very successful well known for being a successful journalist, who has covered numerous fascinating stories over the years. Judy has not always found being in the public eye easy and some negative reporting several years ago surrounding her salary caused her some pain. However, Judy like a true professional dusted herself down and simply carried on with a smile on her face. It must be very difficult to keep smiling when you are sad inside and for this reason I find Judy both remarkable and truly inspiring. A true professional who deserves the title the Mother of the Nation, as she is an inspiration to everyone because of her dedication to show business.