Jacinda Ardern has been receiving a lot of attention since becoming New Zealand’s Prime Minister-elect.
At just 37 the Labour politician will become the country’s youngest ever female leader, as well as its youngest for 150 years.
But it’s not just Ardern who’s getting attention following the discovery of her cat’s Twitter account. Meet Paddles, a very good cat.
Hi, I'm Paddles and I am the First Cat of New Zealand. I have opposable thumbs, I'm purrty special. pic.twitter.com/MPkxdhWCRu
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 21, 2017
The ginger and white cat looks as though she has thumbs because it’s polydactyl – meaning she was born with more than the normal number of toes.
Paddles has been tweeting prolifically since the account was set up earlier this month – although Ardern has said she doesn’t know who’s running it.
“There is indeed an account in the name of my cat and I have no idea who has created it,” she said, according to NewsHub, after speculation that it was run by her partner, Clarke Gayford.
“I am quite happy for that person to continue logging on behalf of Paddles. Keeping in mind Paddles has thumbs, I can’t put it past her it’s her own account as well.”
Paddles is behind her own social media presence. I'm a strong independent puss who don't need no human https://t.co/ucmKlKO3xO via @theage
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 24, 2017
The cat, whose bio reads “not affurliated with the Labour Pawty”, has been busy replying to pictures of other New Zealand cats – as well as showing just how politically aware she is.
Gender is a social construct for humans but I was assigned female cat at birth. https://t.co/EmwHiZa3dl
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 23, 2017
Paddles has also been welcomed by cats further afield – like Larry the Downing Street cat’s unofficial Twitter account.
@FirstCatofNZ Welcome to the party.
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) October 24, 2017
New Zealand’s First Cat also hasn’t shied away from other topical issues, notably Catalan independence.
I think they need more cats and the cats they do have need more pats. That would solve a lot. https://t.co/k7sABm7vuk
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 23, 2017
And unsurprisingly, Paddles also wants catnip legalised.
Legalise 🤙 https://t.co/X6k1ohvXTI
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 23, 2017
It looks like global politics has a new force.
Thanks Mum for bringing me out so I can speak to the press. Must give the people what they want – and what they want is me. Prrrrp ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uiA1jk3qeN
— Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 21, 2017