By MONAHAN, Kate; IRVINE, Denise The Waikato River used to be a place for swimming and gathering food. Now its waters are murky and tainted. What can be done? Kate Monahan and Denise Irvine report.

By NEEMS, Jeff An Enviroment Waikato report into soil and water quality in rural Waikato has shed more light on the negative impacts of intensive agriculture. Jeff Neems looks at the report's contents and talks to soil scientist Dr Peter Singleton about what lies ahead.

The Waikato will escape the worst of the week's wet weather, but forecasters say afternoon showers and thunderstorms may still linger. Other places have taken a hammering as wet weather continues to lash the country.

By NEEMS, Jeff Yet more heavy rain has again raised the level of the Waikato River.

By AKOORIE, Natalie It may come as a surprise, but rainfall in the Waikato has been "normal" for the year. But most of it has bucketed down in the last few weeks.