MEDIA RELEASE

10 November 2010

Inland Revenue wins Government category in 2010 Open Source Awards

Inland Revenue’s innovative online staff learning software won the government section of this year’s computer software Open Source Awards last night.

The awards celebrate New Zealand’s contribution to open source projects, advocacy of free and open source software, and exemplary use of open source software. Open source software, accessible on the Internet, allows free and collaborative use of programming code.

Deputy Commissioner Information Design and Systems Tim Occleshaw said Inland Revenue was nominated twice in the Government category - for its use of the MOODLE learning software, and for the government’s Making Tax Easier online consultation.

“This shows the quality of the work being done to support and enhance Inland Revenue’s electronic capabilities. Open source technology promises to deliver new opportunities for us in collaborating with both the public and private sectors.”

Inland Revenue has been an early adopter of the learning management system Moodle which is now common across government agencies. It is a free, open-source e-learning software platform, also known as a Course Management System, Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment,

Moodle was originally developed to help educators create online courses with a focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content. Used by Inland Revenue to develop its Learn IR programme, Moodle makes it easy for staff to book courses and retain a record of what they have done.

Mr Occleshaw is proud of what Inland Revenue has achieved. “This award recognises our effort in introducing outstanding use of free and open source in the New Zealand public sector,” he said.

There were 31 finalists across eight categories in this year’s awards, organised by Catalyst IT Limited.

ENDS

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