Cat cafe planned for Britomart

A feline-loving lawyer plans to open the BaristaCats Cafe by December 1 in central Auckland.

Long-time cat lover Julia Whitehead, originally from Christchurch, fell in love with the concept on a recent visit to Thailand.

To bring the "same magic experience" to New Zealand she's chosen 10 special cats to roam the cafe.

Ms Whitehead has worked closely with Auckland Council, the Ministry for Primary Industries and the SPCA to ensure the cafe is suitable for cats to occupy the same area as customers enjoying their food and coffee.

"The cafe has been carefully designed to provide great spaces for cats and customers to interact."

It has an open-plan dining space and an adjoining relaxed lounge space in which patrons can get up close and personal with the Barista Cats' tabbies.

BaristaCats will be ideal for inner-city workers -- located just a short walk from Britomart at 95 Queen Street.

"The choice to locate BaristaCats in Auckland Central reflects the ever-increasing numbers of whom do not have the space or ability to keep their own pets."

BaristaCats will be available for group hire, corporate events, parties and other special occasions on demand.

Ms Whitehead is not the first to open a cat cafe, with another one on Auckland's North Shore due to open anytime soon.

* To help her reach her goal of $15,000 she hopes to raise go to https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/4207-baristacats-auckland-s-central-cat-cafe