Supermodel Rachel Hunter slips quietly into town

Rachel Hunter says she's used to going unnoticed - and that's the way she likes it.

The international supermodel, who grew up in Glenfield on the North Shore, could have been any other tourist in Rotorua yesterday.

Hunter, her two teenage children Liam and Renee and her sister stayed at Taupo's Huka Lodge over Easter, and stopped in Rotorua yesterday on their way back to Auckland.

They visited Rainbow Springs' Kiwi Encounter, Skyline Skyrides and the Polynesian Spa, where the Daily Post caught up with Hunter.

She jokingly complained about not having done her hair - and that she was not wearing make-up - but was still happy to pose for a photograph.

Either nobody realised who she was or they were too polite to bother her but Hunter had gone about her swim and souvenir shopping like any other tourist.

These days the 38-year-old former wife of rocker Rod Stewart still dabbles in modelling.

She also has a skin care range in the United States and a swimwear line.

She has also been involved in music videos, films and TV shows, including America's Dancing With the Stars, which she told the Daily Post was "an awesome experience".

Hunter holidays in New Zealand at least once a year and says her celebrity status here is no different to the United States. There, just as here, she goes about her business largely unnoticed.

"If I want to go down the road for something to eat then I'll go down the road for something to eat," she says.

In Los Angeles where she lives, a typical day revolves around her children - trips to and from school and taking them to activities.

"My kids are at the age where they really need a lot more.

"It's important for me to be around for them."

Hunter is still seeing ice hockey player Jarret Stoll although his schedule meant he couldn't holiday with her in New Zealand.

She hasn't ruled out getting remarried, saying she will take things as they come.

"Whatever happens, happens," she says.

Hunter couldn't pick a favourite activity in Rotorua but said she found every visit to the city fascinating.

"It's great coming back to Rotorua. It's nice down here."

Hunter said she had memories of visiting the city as a child and remembered bringing her children when they were younger and visiting Tamaki Tours.