WHAT'S MY NAME: Marion Johnston from the PS Waimarie with the as-yet-unnamed pigeon.PHOTO/ STUART MUNRO
Wanted: one name, suitable for a young male pigeon.
The homing pigeon is one of five owned by the PS Waimarie. When he is a little older, the pigeon will be taken with the other pigeons on cruises up the Whanganui River and released to fly back to Whanganui with
messages.
Marion Johnston from the Waimarie said a competition was being held to name the pigeon.
"Back in the day, when [the Waimarie] was travelling back and forth between Whanganui and Pipiriki, there were no means of communication. So they took homing pigeons with them, so a message could be sent back to Whanganui. So it's re-creating a bit of that history."
The birds are taken on the boat in a little wicker basket. Kids can write a message which is put inside a small cannister attached to the pigeon's leg. When the cruise is finished, the pigeon - and the message - is waiting for them in Whanganui.