The Children's Health Camps Board has asked the Government to clarify its funding by 9.30am today before it decides whether to close one or more of its seven camps.
The board met in Wellington yesterday, saying it would be forced to close its Roxburgh camp, and eventually a camp at either Rotorua or Otaki, unless it could overcome a $5 million funding shortfall.
A decision had been expected yesterday, but board chairman Wayne Chapman said last night the board meeting continued until 5pm and members decided to postpone the decision until today.
The board had been corresponding daily with the Ministry of Social Development, which funds the camps, since it went public with its funding crisis last week, he said.
"We are still trying to get some information that will enable us to make some important decisions tomorrow," he said.
"We have received one lot of correspondence but it still doesn't completely answer our questions, so we have asked them to make a response by 9.30am.
"At this stage, we have no surety from anyone . . . We are hoping to be further advanced by tomorrow morning."
Earlier, the ministry confirmed to the Otago Daily Times the board had agreed to an independent financial review.
Ministry deputy chief executive Ray Smith said in a statement the review would establish "what support may be required".
"Once we've got a full picture, we can then work through this issue. This review will help us understand the financial pressures they're under. We're committed to working through this issue quickly and thoroughly."
Health camp board chief executive Dr Fiona Inkpen said the review would take at least six weeks, and the board already knew how much money it needed.
