The famous feline from Wellington nominated for the New Zealander of the Year has made global headlines.
Mittens the cat, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Newshub's Patrick Gower, and Jacinda Ardern are in the running to take out the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award.
The Turkish Angora rose to fame after repeatedly wandering around Wellington City, with locals concerned he was a lost cat.
After repeated encounters with the Mittens, an SPCA employee started a Facebook group, 'The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens,' to reassure locals the cat did not need to be rescued - he was just adventurous.
The official Facebook group now has over 53,000 followers.
Mittens' running of the New Zealander of the Year appeared on the websites of CNN, The Guardian, 7News and Ladbible.
Ladbible said there are many contenders that are deserving of the prize, including the likes of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Dr Ashley Bloomfield, but said Mittens could "knock those two bigwigs off the top spot".
British news outlet The Guardian described Mittens as "an adventurous spirit" and insists "a feline has never won" a prestigious award as such.
A Twitter user also mentioned: "Jacinda's got some competition, I see!"
Another tweeted: "I'm getting more and more in love with New Zealand."
Nominations for the New Zealand of the Year Award can be made by any member of the public until August 30 at nzawards.org.nz.
Semi-finalists for this award will be announced in December.
