The Wire with Manny

Earlier this year, an Oxfam report revealed that once again, billionaire wealth increased in 2025 — three times faster than the previous five-year average.

In January, Oxfam also proclaimed ‘Pollutocrat Day’ on the 10th of January, on which the richest 1% have already exhausted their annual carbon budget.

Professor of Business & Society at the University of Technology in Sydney Carl Rhodes has delved into the ‘myth of the heroic billionaire’ and the problems generated for political processes and global inequality.

Wire Host Sara spoke to Rhodes about the influence of billionaires, in particular with regard to climate action, starting by asking what the myth of the heroic billionaire is, and how it is perpetuated.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about the party’s stance on Te Tiriti in light of this past Waitangi Weekend, and the employment relations amendment bill in light of a recent protest.

They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Auckland, Avril Bell, about public sentiment on Te Tiriti and interpreting the government’s stance on it. 

And producer Alex spoke to Senior Lecturer in Education and Social Practice at the University of Auckland, Dr Jude MacArthur, about the Government’s recent moves to fund new ‘special schools’ for disabled children, and what that says for exclusivity versus inclusivity in our education.

In late January, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced the latest development in their approach to supporting disabled children in Aotearoa; $44 Million of funding to build 2 new ‘special schools’. 

These schools signal a focus on providing options for parents to support their children who need it with the choice for specialised support, but are not without criticism. Experts have expressed concern that this move is turning towards strengthening the exclusion of disabled children from Aotearoa’s youth and education, and have instead argued in favour of a more inclusive approach, supporting these children in local schools instead.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Education and Social Practice at the University of Auckland, Dr Jude MacArthur, about this announcement, what it means in the context of this government, and what we should be seeing instead for the best outcomes for all of our young people in Aotearoa.

Last week, NZ Post announced the closure of 142 retail stores in the urban-retail network across the motu. 

Concerns have been raised about the disproportionate impacts the closures may have on senior communities who may not have the digital literacy to support the transition in regards to important administration, like paying bills, and staying in touch with loved ones. 

Producer Jasmine spoke to Age Care Concern Tāmaki CEO, Kevin Lamb, about this issue.