Mittens The Cat Pads His Way Toward New Zealander Of The Year Award

Written by: Kelli Brinegar
For more than five years, Kelli Brinegar has been using her ability to write and her passion for research to tell the tale of what cats are thinking and why. She has provided care to more than 30 cats in her lifetime.Read more
| Published on August 25, 2020

We as cat lovers know that felines deserve all the awards! No matter what the award represents, felines have earned the honor of the prize. It’s just a fact. Cats are that amazing.

And the city of Wellington in New Zealand thinks Mittens the Cat is amazing. In fact, the words wondrous and majestic are often used to describe him. Now, the whole of New Zealand agrees as Mittens is up for the New Zealander of the Year Award.

As one of a host of nominees, his competition for the annual award is fierce. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Director-General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, and microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles are just a few of the nominees. But like Mittens, these extraordinary Kiwis “use their passion to make our country a better place,” which is what the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award is all about.


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

With his wanderings through Wellington, Mittens makes friends wherever he goes, making New Zealand and its capital city a better place thanks to his wondrous ways.

The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens

With over 53k followers on his Facebook page, Mittens is well-known in Wellington; locals and visitors alike have eyes on the streets all over the city looking for the fluffy wanderer. And he could turn up anywhere.

Sometimes, he pads into folks’ homes to see what’s going on, making himself completely at home.


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

Or, Mittens might pop into your car for a lift uptown.


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

He likes to check out how commerce is going within the shops.


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

No matter the time, day or night, the streets belong to Mittens.


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

And, the kind cat has a knack for showing up when someone needs a bit of cheer.


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

It’s for these reasons and more, Mittens is a top contender for the New Zealander of the Year Award.

Not A Fine Cat’s First Award Nod

Wellington mayor Andy Foster recently honored Mittens with the key to the city, honoring the upstanding feline “in recognition of bringing happiness, laughter and coolness to the capital — and putting the city on the map internationally with his feline antics.”

The Wellington Museum has also honored the cat with an exhibit, known perfectly as, “Floofy and Famous”.


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

Miriama Kamo, a patron of Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, said, “In this extraordinary year, we know that everyone has a hero.” And for the people of Wellington, Mittens is the hero they love!


The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook

And now, the ten-year-old Turkish Angora has achieved worldwide clout as he has his own Wikipedia page!

Hopefully, come March 18, 2021, his page will be updated with the title 2021’s New Zealander of the Year.

H/T: www.cnn.com
Feature Image: The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens/Facebook