Judy joined the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation in 1971, working as a reporter on news and current affairs programmes. She presented the regional news with John Hawkesby for Auckland from 1980 to 1987 in the programme Top Half. Judy went on to front ONE News, the highest-rated evening television news programme in New Zealand, for twenty-six years. On leaving TVNZ, she presented Māori Television's ANZAC Day programme for many years.

In the 2010 New Year Honours, Judy was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the community. Judy has written several books, including Evolving, about finding health and happiness as we age, released at the beginning of April.

Judy lives in Auckland and is married to producer and director Chris Bailey, with whom she has three children and seven grandchildren.