Gareth Morgan goes to Sevens dressed as a cat

Gareth Morgan complete with tiger ears and bow tie at the Hertz Sevens rugby tournament. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Businessman Gareth Morgan, who has put the cat among the pigeons with his controversial comments about New Zealand's cat population, has been spotted at the Wellington Sevens in a costume likely to raise some eyebrows.

The philanthropist showed up to the first day of the popular popular tournament at Westpac Stadium today sporting tiger-print cat ears and a matching bowtie.

He could be spoiling for a fight after raising hackles with his controversial campaign to rid New Zealand of cats.

His Cats To Go website - which labels cats as "natural-born killers" and calls for the eradication of unregistered cats - was launched last month to opprobrium from feline lovers.

Shortly before heading into the stadium tonight, Dr Morgan was under no illusions about how his choice of costume would go down - "Probably like a cup of cold soup, but you know, it's just my nature."

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He was unconcerned about the potential for abuse from cat-loving rugby fans.

"I'm looking forward to that."

Dr Morgan was quick to point out he was not dressed as a domestic cat, which his website campaigns against.

"It's a tiger - it's the only sort of cat that should be out in the wild."

Mr Morgan said he was "absolutely" looking forward to watching the rugby along with the thousands of other fans.

"It's going to be awesome. Most of them won't see the rugby, of course - it's all about the party."