Big congratulations to the team at Thames Coromandel District Council who have won the 2008 award for excellence in local government at a prestigious ceremony in Paihia, New Zealand. With the theme ‘celebrating new ideas’, TCDC won the 2008 New Zealand Post Group Local Government Excellence Award for its application of MasterPlan.  The project was entered into the Building Organisational Capability category against entries from throughout New Zealand, including three of the country’s biggest councils - Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council and Waitakere City Council. Not only did TCDC’s project win the category in which it was entered but TCDC won the overall award against 36 entries put forward by Councils throughout the country as examples of best practice in local government. The judging panel were impressed by a smaller council showing leadership as well as the thorough and professional planning and execution of the project. They said the project addressed an area of core local authority responsibility and promises significant ongoing benefits to the council. It is likely to attract a high level of interest among a large number of other local authorities. Chief Executive Steve Ruru was rapt with the award and praised everyone for the team work that made it happen. “Winning the award is great recognition for the teamwork and innovative thinking that went into   making the new on-line tools a reality. All of the staff involved deserve a huge pat on the back as implementation of the tool has been of real benefit to our residents and ratepayers. These tools make our  district plan and consent processes much more transparent and easy for people to understand.”   “I would like to thank InfoMaster for producing such an adaptable piece of software - You have a good product and you have every right to be proud of it,” Richard Foster, TCDC.