It was a simple but effective concept - and it's put four data wizards on the national stage.
Following last month's GovHack event in Wanganui, local team Food Rate Whanganui has been named as a national finalist for the awards night in Wellington later this month.
GovHack is a data competition held in cities throughout New Zealand and Australia where participants are tasked with creating smartphone apps and websites which present government data in a useful way.
Food Rate Whanganui used the council's food safety gradings to create a searchable database of all Wanganui food businesses. People can type in an outlet's name and instantly find its council food safety rating along with customer ratings and maps.
"We're really excited that Wanganui is included in the shortlist," organiser Marianne Archibald said.