The recent media coverage and arguments that cats harm biodiversity have absolutely no standing in light of the fact that humans harm more biodiversity by quantity and to a greater degree than all species combined. 
Cats are not pests and do not fall below birds in protection priority order. 
The basis of the new classification of feral cats as pests would suggest that humans should also be classified as pests and breeding controls introduced under the same guise of posing biodiversity harm risk. 

Desexing and release is the humane approach. 
Cruelty and violent eradication is not. 

The research around the huge mental health benefits provided by companion cats is indisputable. 

The research suggesting that the normalisation (or worse, celebration) of violence and cruelty towards animals by young people significantly increases the likelihood of adults later engaging in violence towards other people. 

The classifying of feral cats as pests in NZ normalises violence towards animals and over only a short time desensitises society to broader killing of domestic cats and other animals - a dangerous step for the psychological welfare & security of our society.

The humane and suitable solution to the feral cat and other roaming animal issue is to fund trap, desex and return programmes, alongside education in schools regarding appropriate animal care & welfare and funded desexing and microchipping for domestic animals. 

This approach encourages a culture of empathy, compassion & care. 

Not violence & cruelty via eradication & senseless kill programmes.