A day in the life of Judy Bailey

So what does Judy Bailey's working day look like? We wanted the "mother of the nation" to tell us what she does before appearing on screen, but Bailey wasn't talking.

"There's no mileage in an article," said a friend of hers who approached the One News presenter for the Herald. "She's on a hiding to nothing to justify a salary of that magnitude, but anybody in the business knows it's justified - more than justified. She's just a political football."

He added: "What was she supposed to do? Take some of the pay rise and give it to some nurses? She can't win. They put her in a terrible position, the politicians."

Television New Zealand refused to broker an interview. "No way," said Avon Adams, head of public affairs. "It would be an invidious position to put her in - she is the meat in the sandwich here. It really has nothing to do with her, except that it's her salary."

But the state broadcaster did make a statement: "Judy Bailey takes a full part in the editorial process for One News. She is involved in editorial meetings, discussions on the structure and content of the news, she writes her introductions and records promos. She's also involved in post-production reviews.

"As well, she is available to TVNZ on an as-required basis for events such as the recent 2005 programme launch, and publicity interviews with selected outlets.

"Judy Bailey also has a number of well-documented personal involvements with organisations such as the [children's developmental charity] Brainwave Trust.

"As a very high-profile TVNZ staffer of 30 years' standing, it is fair to say that every public appearance she makes, large or small, professional or private, is representing TVNZ. She is 'at work'."

Bailey would also appear to be on air longer than the four minutes alleged by Prime Minister Helen Clark. The Herald timed Bailey's appearances on Tuesday's news - a bulletin in which she introduced a story about her pay without any discernable change in demeanour - at 10 minutes 23 seconds.

Bailey, a mother of three married to director Chris Bailey (Shortland Street, Street Legal) arrives at work by car at "12 or 12.30ish" according to Ms Adams (TV3 filmed her arriving at 1.45pm on the day the story broke).

But does she have an executive decision-making role?

"No," says Ms Adams.

Around 3pm Bailey goes into make-up, which takes up to an hour. From 4pm she would appear to be busy familiarising herself with scripts and recording the news grabs and a radio commercial that runs before the news.

She will talk to reporters beforehand if "two-ways" are needed. She is on-set from about 5.45pm.

Said one industry source: "Scripts are provided - it's just a matter of her familiarising herself with the wording. It's not the most taxing of days for Judy."

But that's missing the point, says another insider (no one wants to be named in relation to the pay issue). Bailey has a "huge following", with advertisers paying about $12,000 for a 30-second advert during One News.

"Her salary is paid out of advertising revenue and she is responsible for a lot of revenue. If ratings drop, it's multi-money. Judy is worth millions more than $800,000. And how many stars has TVNZ got left?"

Bailey is apparently very upset by this week's events, but has earned much favourable comment about her serenity under stress.

"She's strong," says the insider. " She's finding it stressful, but she's great woman, a very strong woman."

Adds a colleague: "She's always puts on a brave face, but I know she hasn't been putting on a brave face for everyone."