Judy Bailey honoured

GRAHAME COX

RECOGNITION: Judy Bailey has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

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Although Judy Bailey thinks that her 'Mother of the Nation' nickname is "mad", she was "delighted" to be appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit today.

Bailey was honoured alongside other prominent New Zealanders including businessman Anthony Falkenstein and paediatric heart surgeon Dr Kirsten Finucane at a ceremony at Government House in Auckland.

"It's an absolute delight of course, and a huge honour," said Bailey.

"I see it really as a real endorsement of the work that those organizations that I'm involved in do."

She said that she was surprised to be selected for the honour, but believes she received it because of her work for New Zealand charities, such as Friends of the Women's Refuge, the Brain Wave Trust Aotearoa, and the North Shore Hospice, rather than her 35-year broadcasting career.
 
"I just did my job really," she said.

"I did it to the best of my ability, and I think that's what we all do, isn't it?

"So I think probably that it was the community work, which I love and has given me back so much in return. You get back more than you put in."
 
Bailey said the highlight of her broadcasting career was "to be able to bring moments in history to people's living rooms night after night."
 
"There are so many stories that I can remember along the way that have been a delight to be there for.

"Like the Berlin Wall falling, the fall of Communism, when we first won the America's Cup, gathering around together around the telly for Telethon, all those things."
 
Despite the longevity of her career, Bailey said she has no idea how she got the title of 'Mother of the Nation'.
 
"It's mad, isn't it?" she said.

"I like to think of it as a term of affection. I'm sure people are taking the mickey out of me mercilessly, but I'm going with the former."

- © Fairfax NZ News