Media Release
31 October 2018
CENTRAL CITY BACKPACKERS REOPENS
By YHA New Zealand
AUCKLAND: YHA Auckland International has reopened after a half-million dollar refurbishment. The Turner Street property has had a
facelift to update the popular budget accommodation option.
This updated look and feel is the first stage in a long-term plan to bring the accommodation up to a similar standard to
flagship property YHA Auckland City. The City Road hostel and former hotel received a full $3 million dollar
refurbishment in 2016 and has enjoyed positive guest reviews and improved ratings ever since. YHA Auckland City is a 5
Star Gold Qualmark-rated Backpackers.
Area Manager, Steve Collier, has noted an immediate positive response in customer reviews and ratings of YHA Auckland
International. He says guest feedback is already reflecting the significantly improved look and feel of the hostel since
its reopening at the beginning of October.
“This investment reflects YHA’s commitment to quality generally, but also the important of Auckland to our nation-wide
network. It is where international guests arriving into New Zealand get their first experience of YHA and that
experience influences their future accommodation choices as they travel through the country” says Mark Wells, Chief
Executive of YHA.
As a not-for-profit, YHA New Zealand has an established history of reinvesting in the nationwide network. In addition to
YHA Auckland City’s complete refit, YHA Queenstown Lakefront recently underwent a full refurbishment staged over several
years. These large-scale investments are bolstered throughout the network with examples such as the installation of
solar power and a new kitchen in YHA Aoraki Mt Cook, and a new kitchen in YHA Rotorua. The brand new YHA Lake Tekapo is
currently under construction and due for completion in early 2019.
About YHA New Zealand
The Youth Hostels Association of New Zealand (YHA New Zealand) is a not-for-profit association that was established in
1932 in Canterbury. With a network of 38 hostels across both islands, YHA New Zealand provides high quality budget
accommodation to New Zealanders and international travellers. For more information please visit: https://www.yha.co.nz.