The latest in the challenge to keep Opoutere open as a YHA hostel.

The latest in the challenge to keep Opoutere open as a YHA hostel. The YHA National board has stated it intends to make a final decision on Opoutere Hostel next week. They have requested management provide more analysis and information to be presented at the forthcoming meeting to assist with the decision. Repeated requests to the board for consultation, inclusion and information by the save Opoutere group have received inadequate responses to allow meaningful participation and make submissions. The scant information proffered both via the YHA News webpage, and to the group, is ambiguous in content and explanation and presents no positive alternative to the closure proposal, instead it attempts to discredit publicly those who seek passionately to save the hostel. It is understood and respected that some information needs to remain confidential but the disinclination to share basic information within the membership about the requirements to keep Opoutere Hostel open is incomprehensible. The inclusion of interested parties in a transparent and fair decision-making process, affecting the stakeholders of any association, is a basic right under the rules of natural justice. Following protocol, 2 General Notices of Motion have been submitted for consideration at the October YHA Annual General Meeting. These have been fully supported by YHA member branches who passed separate Notices of Motion at branch AGM's and have submitted them to the National AGM. Auckland Branch AGM “That National Board defers decision on the future of Opoutere Hostel for 12 months to enable more consultation amongst interested parties.” “The Auckland Branch supports the recognition of the Opoutere Members Group by the YHANZ board as one of the interested parties in the consultation process regarding Opoutere YHA hostel.” Whangarei Branch Motion to the National AGM “That the YHA National Board shall recognize the Opoutere Hostel Group and consult them fully in any decision(s) regarding the future of the Opoutere YHA Hostel.” General Notices of Motion to the AGM of YHA NZ by combined members of Whangarei, Auckland and the Opoutere Group. “That the YHA National Board shall recognize the Opoutere Hostel Group and consult with them fully in any decision(s) regarding the future of the Opoutere YHA Hostel.” “That the YHA National Board shall defer the decision regarding the future of Opoutere Hostel for 12 months to enable fully informed consultation amongst all interested parties.” Immediate deferral of the decision to close Opoutere Hostel, until after the AGM, demonstrates respect and integrity to all stakeholders and is in the best interests of the organisation's future. Members who attend the AGM in Wellington, during the last weekend of October, will be eligible to vote on these motions. We look forward to meeting some of our fellow supporters from around NZ there. For those members and supporters intending to visit Opoutere Hostel we would request that you kindly respect the staff position and refrain from discussing the closure proposal with them. Thank you all for the ongoing support to save this unique hostel that epitomises the aims and objects of YHA New Zealand.