Frustrated Christchurch residents want to know why celebrities are given personal red zone tours, yet they remain locked out.

Former Kiwi supermodel Rachel Hunter, actor Russell Crowe, Prince William and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard have all been guided through the heart of Christchurch's devastated central business district (CBD), while local residents have been forced to stand behind cordon fences, peering into their city.

On Saturday Hunter toured the red zone, stopping to pose in front of the crumbled Christ Church Cathedral with a hard hat and high-vis vest.

Nearly 40 people commented on a story about Hunter's personal tour that ran on The Press website yesterday, expressing their dissent about celebrities' "preferential treatment".

"When is this celebrity tourism going to stop? It is offensive to those who live here," Andrew wrote.

Marion posted: "Again people who are perceived to be important get to be within the cordon. The people of Christchurch have still not had the chance to decide if they would like to go into the city to have a look to help with grief and closure, yet this woman, who has nothing to do with Christchurch gets a guided tour."

Crowe's guided tour of the shattered red zone in March sparked a similar online backlash.

Kerry commented: "Interesting how Bob Parker vilifies rubber neckers but will bend over backwards to give celebrities and the dubiously famous more access to this city than most of those that live here get."

Speaking to The Press today, Christchurch man Timothy Fine said it was frustrating watching celebrities walk through the red zone when local residents were denied access.

He said people needed access to the cordon for closure after the horrific events of February 22.

"I want to see my city, I have seen it on TV but I want to see it myself to understand it. Anyone with a potential status can come in and get shown through but the rate payers and tax payers are turned away and it is just frustrating," he said.

Fine, who was working in the CBD on the day of the quake, said he appreciated the dangers within the cordon, but wanted to know why it was only an issue for residents, and not high-profile visitors.

He commented on Hunter's story saying: "I want and need to see my city for closure. I still get a sick feeling when I drive near it, I still have tears that threaten when I see the site of the CTV building... These people that come in for a fleeting visit cannot comprehend what we went through. It's ridiculous. Stop babying/belittling the people of Christhchurch and let us see our city."

Architectual technician Paul Naylor was also in the CBD on the day of the quake and said the preferential treatment of celebrities was unjust.

"I am more important when it comes down to what is going to happen with the future of this city, they will fly back to the US or Australia but I will stay here. This is our city and they float in for publicity and then drift out again," he told The Press today.

Catherine Delore, spokeswoman for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), said Hunter was allowed access to the red zone to promote yesterday's Rise-Up Christchurch Telethon.

"She was allowed in for a very specific purpose to promote the telethon and that was for the benefit of the Christchuch people," she said.

Delore would not comment on other high-profile celebrities being given access to the red zone because she said CERA had not been established then and were not responsible for authorising the tours.

She said the environment within the red zone was "extremely dangerous and volatile" and a public walk through was unlikely to go ahead.