6PM TRANSCRIPT (25/11/07): Emma Agnew disapperance 

PRESENTER, MIRIAMA KAMO: In other news, divers have begun searching a Christchurch river as the 11-day hunt for missing deaf woman Emma Agnew goes on. The impact for Canterbury's Deaf community has been described as disastrous. Julia Hilligan reports that community is now being offered some support.

REPORTER: Searching the Styx riverbed for clues. A team of police divers from Wellington has started combing the riverbed near Spencerville. It's close to the area they searched intensively on foot last week. They're looking for Emma's personal belongings, hoping for more success than they've had at the city's landfill.

REPORTER: It's been 10 days since her burnt-out car was found abandoned at a local park. It's had such an impact on the local Deaf community, government officials are now asking what they can do to help.

TONY BLACKETT, DEAF ASSOCIATION OF NZ: The ministry is keen to provide a response that does provide support to the Deaf community at this very difficult time. Exactly what that is we don't know yet. It could be that access to counselling is something we might be looking to provide, um, for the community here.

REPORTER: Officials are likening the impact to that of a natural disaster.

TONY BLACKETT, DEAF ASSOCIATION OF NZ: The Bay of Plenty floods had a devastating impact on small communities, and this event, um, is having a devastating effect on the Deaf community here in Christchurch, the family and friends of Emma, but also throughout NZ.

REPORTER: And support's coming from even further afield - many of the heartfelt messages on the website raising funds for the family and friends of Emma are from overseas.

REPORTER (TO CAMERA): Like the Netherlands. One woman has donated money to the online appeal and says she's also lit a candle in her home for Emma. She asks that Emma is brought home safely, and says at the moment her thoughts are with the NZ Deaf community.

Julia Hilligan, ONE News.