Mittens just purr-fect for calendar

The countdown to Christmas is on and Wellington’s most famous cat is lending a paw.

Eagle-eyed Wellingtonians have spotted Mittens the cat around Cuba St, Victoria University, CBD shops and even their own homes. Now he’s scored himself a spot on this year’s Wellington Advent Calendar, an online calendar counting down to Christmas.

It came as no surprise to Mittens’ owner Silvio Bruinsma that his cat made the cut as part of an illustration displaying some of the most recognised moments in the capital in 2018.

‘‘He’s a bit of an icon,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s become a bit of a thing to try and find Mittens when you’re in Wellington.’’

Dubbed a ‘‘cat about town’’, the Turkish angora even has a Facebook page, originally set up by the SPCA, to let people know the cat wandering the mean streets of Wellington is fine – just an inquisitive cat.

More than 8000 people follow the furry explorer through his Facebook page.

Mittens isn’t the only animal on the calendar: the southern right whale – dubbed Matariki by some – that visited the harbour in July is also included.

Artist Chris Davidson created the artwork for the 2018 calendar. He’s added a host of other memorable moments, from the introduction of double-decker buses to the rainbow pedestrian crossing installed in Cuba St.

‘‘I’ve grown up with Wellington and it’s a city I love so it was a chance to try to capture that in an illustration. I wanted to explore something that would resonate and speak of the vibrancy and sense of discovery within the city,’’ Davidson says.

Every day between December 1 and 24, people can visit the calendar’s website and nab themselves a deal at 24 Wellington hospitality and retail businesses.

The calendar starts off with a sweet note this Saturday – two-for-one cake slices at vegan cafe Sweet Release in Willis St.

Last year, more than 87,000 vouchers were snapped up over the Christmas period.

Check out the Wellington Advent Calendar from Saturday at WellingtonAdvent Calendar.com.