By PATRICK GOWER
Rachel Hunter was acting in a different role on the Auckland waterfront yesterday.
The supermodel-turned-actress thrilled some of New Zealand's Special Olympians when she presented them with a minivan in her capacity as the Variety Club's international ambassador.
Special Olympian Russell Julian, aged 19, recognised the model and seized an opportunity to hug her as she left. "I'd seen her before on TV and in a Woman's Weekly," he said.
Special Olympics regional coordinator Laurie McDonald said the Mercedes van would be used to transport the athletes to training and competitions.
"It's one of the greatest gifts we could receive."
He was also delighted with the way Rachel Hunter had been received by the athletes.
"It was a real thrill for them. She's such a natural person. She took to them and they took to her."
Rachel Hunter said she was pleased to be home and would spend the next few days enjoying the America's Cup. She was disappointed that her children had to stay behind and attend school.
When asked about her personal life, she gave the thumbs-up signal.
Asked if this meant she was in love, she replied: "What's that?"
She joked that the acting career she had recently begun was "absolutely useless," but said she had a film ready for release next month and was about to start work on another in two weeks.
She was pleased to hear that New Zealand actors were being employed by American film-makers in this country, as long as they "had good American accents."
However, she would not be drawn on what her own American accent was like.
"I am not doing an American accent [for you]."
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