Coming up on Te Karere... The signs that synthetic drugs are spreading through our regions. Labour's new education policy focusses on life after school. And the kohanga reo tutor who is now Miss New Zealand. 14 August 2017 Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. The scourge of synthetic drugs appears to be spreading into our regions. In Rotorua, there were 15 separate incidents over the weekend linked to synthetic cannabis, with half the cases requiring hospital treatment. This follows a spate of synthetic drugs deaths last month in Auckland. Rapaera Tawhai reports. She's seen differently now. She was once seen publicly as the girl who was high on synthetic drugs. Hence why she wants everyone to know how addictive these drugs are. This comes after Rotorua is hit with the problem. Even though it's quiet outside of the Rotorua Hospital today, it wasn't the case the last couple of days. Over these last few days 10 people were taken into the hospital here and it was suspected that synthetics or psychotic substances were the cause. Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust said in a statement... But Grover says it's such an easy thing to access. The Rotorua police are investigating further even posting their concerns on social media. Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere. Driving lessons, financial literacy, budgeting skills and career planning will all be part of the education system for high school students under a Labour-led government. Labour leader Jacinda Ardern made the announcement today and our political reporter Eruera Rerekura asked the tumuaki and students of Te Kura Maori o Porirua about what they thought about it. Jacinda Ardren is thinking about the future for these students. If Labour wins the general election they will have the funds to supporting driving lessons. Budgeting is another lesson that Labour is supporting. But the principle of Te Kura Maori o Porirua has some questions: There's nothing wrong with the goal. But the question is, what we do need to do to help parents out there in the community to be able to grow and develop these skills among them? However these students support Labour's plans. I think Labour's policy of helping high school students with getting a licence and learning how to budget is great. I support what the bro says. Yes we need to be doing that. How else can we look at life beyond the four walls of the classroom? Yes, I agree with this. Are you good budgeting? No, and I don't know how to either. However, I'd like to think that by the time I graduate from school that I'd be able to do that. So I can do things like saving up for a dress. So the decision is in the hands of our youth. Eruera Rerekura, Te Karere. It's been a long year for the family of Joshua Waite who was kicked in the head outside a Brisbane McDonalds in May, but the family are now celebrating Joshua's recovery, and his aunty in Tauranga says the support they received from all over has been invaluable. Hania Douglas reports. Joshua Waite is on the path to recovery. But it hasn't been an easy journey. Waite was kicked in the back of the head which lead to him being in a coma. His dad's sister, Raiha Hooker put together a crowd funding page Joshua is doing well, but he still has a long road ahead of him. Hooker says the family is so grateful for all the support the family received. Hania Douglas, Te Karere. A gunman believed to be in possession of a semi-automatic military grade weapon, is still at large. After opening fire on police in Morrinsville over the weekend. There's been a heavy police presence in the Waikato town today as officers continue their investigation. The two passengers in the gunman's car are being questioned and police are asking for others to come forward with information. After the break, Portia Woodman bags eight tries in one game at the RWC. The Black Ferns have annihilated Hong Kong 121-0 at the Women's Rugby World Cup. Their Ngapuhi winger Portia Woodman scored eight tries against the home side, easily taking her to the top of the ladder for most tries scored in the tournament, with nine from two matches. The 121-0 win is the Black Ferns biggest world cup win, which is level to the same score in 1994 against USA in Japan. The Wests Tigers have caused a big upset in the NRL with a last minute victory over the Manly Sea Eagles. The Tigers down the bottom of the leader board ruining Manly's shot at a top four finish with a huge second half fight back to get themselves back in the game. Malakai Watene Zelezniak crossing over with 80 seconds left on the clock. Wests taking the game 30 points to 26. Tumamao Harawira is here to talk sports. We're unable to provide subtitles. Tumamao Harawira, thank you. Let's take another look at today's top stories. The signs that synthetic drugs are spreading through our regions. Labour's new education policy focuses on life after school. Portia Woodman scores eight tries at the Women's Rugby World Cup. After the break, we meet this year's Miss New Zealand, kohanga reo teacher Harlem Cruiz-Ihaia. And we have the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. She's 19, she's of Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Porou descent, she's a kohanga reo teacher, she is a te reo Maori speaker and she is now Miss Universe NZ. Harlem-Cruz Atarangi Ihaia broke stereotypes and has proven that Maori can achieve anything as she was crowned Miss Universe NZ over the weekend. Te Okiwa McLean has more. Her dreams are coming true. This Kahungunu woman was crowned Miss Universe NZ. Her main aim in this kaupapa was to break stereotypes about Maori. My main goal was to help change the stereotypes surrounding Maori and that we can do anything. It was about being a positive role model for future generations and that this is a pathway to success. She is a kohanga reo teacher who is immersed in her Maori world. However, she is equally as adept in the non-Maori world too. When I would go to kohanga reo I'd be wearing track pants, hoodies and sneakers. I wouldn't put make up on. So when my colleagues from kohanga reo came and saw me they said 'wow that's Harlem!'. They reacted like that because I was wearing high heels, and a dress and looking quite presentable. I wanted to show the world, and to the young ones it is possible to like a diversity of things. My most favourite footwear are Redband gumboots, but I also love wearing high heels. So what's next? I'm preparing myself for Miss Universe. I will be representing New Zealand. I want to showcase Maori to the world and that this is New Zealand. Miss Universe will take place in November but the venue is yet to be confirmed. Exciting news, Kahungunu on the up. Te Okiwa McLean, Te Karere. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from Te Mangai Paho.