Nicole Lawton popped into the new Cat Lounge in Glenfield to have a chat to patrons and see what all the fuss was about.

To my delight, the task of checking out New Zealand's first and only cat cafe fell into my hands. Having only a grumpy, senile ragdoll of my own I was keen to enjoy the company of the quintessential kitty.

The Cat Lounge, on Auckland's North Shore, has only been open four days, but has already had 580 customers through its doors and taken 1000 bookings from feline fans.

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BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX MEDIA Cats lounging in The Cat Lounge.

This being my first visit to a cat cafe I didn't know what to expect, so I did what any normal person would do, and ordered a coffee.

"Orb Coffee, nice," I think to myself. The cafe part checks out, time for the cat part.

The Cat Lounge is divided into two parts: the main cafe at the front, where food and drinks are sold, and a separate room through controlled-entry doors where the cats hang out.

BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX MEDIA Drinking.

Stepping into the lounge with my coffee, I'm amused to see what can only be described as a perfect puss playground.

There are secret passageways, scratching posts, cubby holes and even a swing bridge and a quaint outdoor area ideal for basking in the sun.

The cats line the room in varying degrees of nonchalance, one might say they were nonpussed (get it?).

BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX MEDIA Lounging.

Afternoons are for cat naps and mornings are for playing, I'm told.

I'm relieved to note the absence any potential odours incurred from having 15 felines in one room.

While I was chatting to co-owner Mike Jones I noticed his cat-like reflexes when one of the smaller ones had an evacuation of the urinary kind. Out with the paper towels and disinfecting spray and the mess was dealt with almost as quick as it occurred.

BEVAN READ/FAIRFAX MEDIA Playing.

Jones said that a goal of his was to make this cafe as good as, if not better, than the top cat cafes in Melbourne and Tokyo.

A common criticism of some international cafes was the unpleasant smell, which is why Jones had an extractor fan installed in the cats' personal room.

He spent a lot of time reading reviews of other cat cafes to find out what people loved and hated about them.

"Some cat cafes say you're not allowed to pick up the cats or wake them up if they're sleeping, but it's not like that here," he said.

Everywhere around me people are snuggling, playing and cuddling with furry bundles.

"Three-year-olds come in and have as much fun as 96-year-olds. Their experience is the same and the first thing they say is simply 'Wow'," said Jones.

I settle down on the couch next to Kahu Piripi, who has a purring poof of white fluff nestled on her chest.

I ask her why she came here today and she says that she doesn't have a cat at home and this is the perfect place to fill up the love tanks.

Then I see a girl look around to make sure no one is watching, pick up a peacefully sleeping puss and drape it over her lap. What's more, the kitten actually lets her!

I zero in on a black kitten with white socks named Bruce Wayne and lift him up with cuddly intentions, only to be snubbed with a squirmy manoeuvre to freedom.

Classic, I picked the only feisty feline in the whole place.

I let it slide and instead soak in the glorious glow of others enjoying their cuddle buddies.

When leaving time rolls around I'm covered in cat hair and heading back to the office, so you can imagine my relief to find they keep a plentiful stock of lint rollers on hand for such occasions.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience but, given the rather lengthy drive from the CBD and the fact there's a $10 'furcharge' on top of food and drink, I'm not sure I'd become a regular.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW RIGHT MEOW

The Cat Lounge



173 Archers Rd, Glenfield, Auckland 0627

Rating: 7/10 for the cafe side of things since I wouldn't usually take my flat white with a side of fluff, but a 10/10 for the feel good factor.