YHA New Zealand's HI Q+S Success

The team at YHA New Zealand are proud to have received HI Q+S Level 2 certification for their National Office and 8 key hostels.

Their recent audit for Hostelling International was carried out by Sigríður Ólafsdóttir, HI Q and HI Q+S Auditor for Hostelling International.

Sigríður travelled around the YHA network through November and December 2017, and in congratulating the team, shared some of her feedback.

“The remarkably high audit results further confirm the strong commitment of the people who form the YHA New Zealand network, showing excellent creativity and initiative in delivering their mission every day. Now, together with HI Luxembourg, YHANZ has taken the lead in being the first National Office to get certified for their Sustainability actions. They are a trusted partner to HI as a whole, and truly contribute through their strategies,” Sirra says.

She went on to praise the systems and processes introduced by National Office since the last audit, and expressed her joy at working with the YHA New Zealand team.

Mark Wells, Chief Executive, is delighted with the results. “This certification reaffirms YHA’s commitment to quality, which permeates our entire organisation. Our remarkable results represent the dedication of our staff to building quality into every aspect of the organisation, and our commitment to supporting the mission and broader goals of Hostelling International.”

This was the first time all audited properties have completed the Sustainability section of the certification. Simon Cartwright, Manager, Hostel Operations, underscored the importance of sustainability initiatives to YHA New Zealand. “Operating our hostels in a way that is sympathetic to the environment is central to YHA New Zealand’s mission as evidenced by our commitment to renewable energy solutions and our carbon neutral status. HI Q+S certification serves as important and valuable recognition of this organisational commitment,” Mr Cartwright says.

The audit results have been reinforced by excellent guest reviews and a number of TripAdvisor 2017 Certificates of Excellence across the network.

Sigríður was also pleased to experience travelling throughout New Zealand. “I made the most of my journey across and stayed a bit longer in New Zealand, a country I have dreamed of visiting for forever. We experienced real purity and were absolutely blown away with the beauty of the country. YHA New Zealand is truly a gateway to new experiences, new friendship and new understanding,” she says.