Judy McGregor


Judith Helen McGregor CNZM is a New Zealand lawyer, journalist, public servant and academic. She is currently a full professor at the Auckland University of Technology and chairs the Waitemata District Health Board.

Career

McGregor completed a BA from the University of Waikato in 1970, where she was founded editor of Nexus, the student magazine.
Working as a journalist she rose to editorship of the Sunday News and the Auckland Star and serving on the Broadcasting Standards Authority. She also took stands against the 1981 Springboks tour and walked in the 1975 Maori land march.
In 2004 McGregor was made a Companion to the Order of New Zealand, for services to journalism.
After a PhD in political communication, McGregor worked as a Professor at Massey University. Between 2003 and 2013 McGregor served as the first Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner for the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, appointed by Minister Margaret Wilson and replaced in the role by politician Jackie Blue.
As commissioner her report 'Caring Counts' based on undercover work in the aged care industry had a huge impact and lead ultimately to the a historic industry-wide settlement.
McGregor then moved to Auckland University of Technology as professor. In 2016 McGregor was named supreme winner of Women in Governance Awards. After the resignation of Dr Lester Levy as chair of the Waitemata District Health Board, the Minister of Health appointed McGregor as his successor, effective 10 June 2018.

Selected works