"That little ball of fluff you own is a natural born killer," Morgan writes on his website.

However, Dr Yolanda van Heezik, a senior lecturer in Zoology at the University of Ontago, told TVNZ that she believes Morgan is heading in the right direction.

"I support Gareth Morgan in his campaign to raise awareness about the impacts that pet, stray, and feral cats have on our native wildlife," she said today. "The recommendations given by Gareth Morgan are reasonable. Consider using a collar with a bell: our research has shown they reduced catch by 50%."

Van Heezik said that other countries - including Australia - regulate cat ownership and cat movements. "We need to start thinking along the same lines," she added.

In 2011 Western Australia caused controversy when it implemented a Cat Bill requiring owners to sterilise and microchip their cats by six months of age.

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Words: Anna Pollitt. Images: Rex features

New Zealand set to be cat free?