The Opportunities Party Leader Gareth Morgan has been accused of insensitivity after he tweeted a seemingly-callous response to news of the death of Paddles - Jacinda Ardern's cat.
Paddles was apparently hit by a car and killed yesterday, leading to an outpouring of grief and sympathy online for the popular pet.
Mr Morgan replied to a news article with "was it out and about wandering? If so does this reflect the value the PM puts on NZ wildlife?"
Mr Morgan is well-known for his stance against cats wandering at night, as they can be a danger to native birds.
The ginger cat was hit and killed by a car in Auckland yesterday. (Source: Other)
Other Twitter users, however, were not impressed at his "tone-deaf" tweet.
"Crikey Gareth, the poor cat's only just passed away, and I don't think there's many Kakapo or Black Robins in Grey Lynn to hunt," said one.
"Christ mate, this is bad taste," said another.
Others were much more firm in their replies, with some suggesting that Mr Morgan should delete his Twitter account.
He then went on to suggest that "for $200 she could have protected kitty & wildlife", also calling those who had criticised him "apologists for the PM's callous disregard of NZ's wildlife".
His later tweet contained a link to an electric shock collar which is triggered if a cat wanders outside of a set area.
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