Paddle The Cat With Thumbs Becomes ‘First Cat’ Of New Zealand & We’re All Ready For Our Furry Overlords

• By Asad Tipu
• October 25, 2017
• < 1

In case you missed it, New Zealand is getting a new Prime Minister.

She is Labour’s Jacinda Ardern and she won the backing of NZ First and the Greens, and so could form government. If you have an eye for international news, this isn’t something new to you, especially if you live in New Zealand.

But you know what is?

Ardern’s got a pet cat named Paddles and she has opposable thumbs!

Look at her with her tiny thumbs! Look! She’s even got her own Twitter account!

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

— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 21, 2017

Paddles is polydactyl, so she has a few extra toes.

And this twitter account sprung up the moment it was announced that Ardern would become the next PM of NZ.

Me before becoming First Cat. Life was so easy. It was the campaign of my life and I am honoured to serve both people and puss. pic.twitter.com/dwf5hDVT5J

— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 22, 2017

And the thing is, we don’t know who runs this account.

But apparently, it’s Paddles herself because she has opposable thumbs and is a strong independent puss that don’t need no human.

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

— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 24, 2017

Even Ardern’s partner and New Zealand Fishing personality, Clarke Gayford, was bewildered.

WTF Paddles?! I KNEW you were pretend sleeping when I just checked.
….There's Snapper in the fridge. pic.twitter.com/BmlQwHl455

— Clarke Gayford (@NZClarke) October 21, 2017

LOOK AT PADDLES DOING PADDLY THINGS LIKE WRITING A MEMOIR.

just spent all morning explaining to cat that she's not even 1 yet so how can she possibly be writing her memoirs
Thanks a lot @FirstCatofNZ pic.twitter.com/JW92LNv926

— Clarke Gayford (@NZClarke) October 24, 2017

Neither of the two are running the account, so I guess it must be Paddles herself after all.

Ardern confirms she nor @NZClarke are behind Paddles' twitter account @FirstCatofNZ – but happy for it to continue. https://t.co/eNwLXLgNsl

— The AM Show (@TheAMShowNZ) October 24, 2017

Other famous cats of twitter greeted her too!

@FirstCatofNZ Welcome to the party.

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) October 24, 2017

But we’re just hoping to see more of Paddles doing opposable cat thumb stuff!

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

— The Ghost of Paddles (@FirstCatofNZ) October 21, 2017