As she launched a collection of clothes for bargain-basement store, The Warehouse, the former model said she is using a friend's old Honda Civic as a runaround.
She also confessed to displaying "muffin tops" - areas of flesh that spill over the top of pants or skirts.
Speaking after the launch, the former Glenfield College pupil said: "It's actually not mine, it [belongs to] a friend of ours. But yeah, it's been fun, it's a great car to get around in."
And it seems Hunter can sympathise with those whose fashion budgets have been squeezed by the recession.
She told the crowd: "I always think comfort and flexibility no matter what ... it's so important right now because we're not buying how we used to."
Hunter, the ex-wife of musician Rod Stewart, identified the dark blue stretch denim jeans she wore as her favourite piece of clothing from her line.
"They're not as low-rise as a lot of the jeans are, for us who want to get rid of our muffin-tops," she said, to laughter from the crowd.
There was more humour when she was asked what the best thing about working with The Warehouse was.
"Coming back home," she said.
Hunter said she manages to visit New Zealand once or twice a year, but is working with manager Andy Haden to increase that frequency.
"It's something that I'm definitely wanting to do, now that my kids are much older," she said.
Hunter (41) has two children to Rod Stewart - Renee (18) and Liam (15).
In the country for only a few days, Hunter said she would try to find time to attend the Karaka races at Ellerslie racecourse on Sunday.
