Kinloch, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kinloch
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Town
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The lakeshore of Lake Taupō at Kinloch
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Waikato region |
| District | Taupō District |
| Ward | Taupō Ward |
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| Settlements of Taupō |
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| Area | |
| • Total | 4.64 km2 (1.79 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2023)
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| • Total | 1,140 |
| • Density | 245.7/km2 (636/sq mi) |
Kinloch is a small town in New Zealand. Its name comes from a Scottish word meaning "head of the lake." It's located on the northern shore of Lake Taupō, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of the larger town of Taupō. Kinloch is part of the Waikato region on New Zealand's North Island. It's known for its beautiful lake views and as a popular spot for holidays.
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A Look Back: Kinloch's History
Kinloch began to take shape in the 1950s. In 1953, Sir Keith Holyoake, who was an important government official (the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture), bought a large piece of land here. He bought it with his friend Theodore Nisbet Gibbs and his son. This land, over 5,000 acres, was mostly covered in plants like scrub and fern. It had been bought from the local Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi (Māori tribe) way back in 1884.
Later, in 1956, Sir Keith's son bought even more land nearby, which had more lake access. The area was first called Whangamatā Station. But it was renamed Kinloch to avoid confusion with another town called Whangamatā in a different part of New Zealand.
Kinloch was planned to be a place for people to visit and relax. The first plots of land were sold in 1959. A marina (a place for boats) was built in 1962, making it easier for people to enjoy the lake.
In 2001, the town grew with a new area called "Holy Oaks." Some local people and the Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi had worries about how this new development might affect the environment.
Sometimes, mistakes happen! In December 2018, new signs for the town were put up, but they spelled Kinloch incorrectly as "Kinlock." Luckily, new signs with the correct spelling were put up the next month.
In November 2022, Kinloch got its first public transport. A bus service called Connect2Taupō started, offering a weekly trip from Kinloch to Taupō.
Fun Things to Do in Kinloch
Kinloch is a lively place with people who live there all the time and many who come for holidays. In 2013, about 70% of the houses in Kinloch were holiday homes. This shows how popular it is for vacations!
Sports and Activities
The beautiful lake is a big part of life in Kinloch.
- Many people enjoy trout fishing in the lake.
- You can also have fun with water-skiing and wakeboarding.
- For those who love being outdoors, there are great walking and cycling tracks, like the Kawakawa to Kinloch (K2K) track.
Golf is also very popular here:
- The Kinloch Club golf course was designed by a famous golfer named Jack Nicklaus. It opened in 2007. In 2018, it was even named the best 18-hole golf course in New Zealand!
- There's also a smaller, public 10-hole golf course right in Kinloch village.
Every year since 1985, Kinloch has hosted the Kinloch Triathlon. This is New Zealand's longest-running triathlon event, where athletes swim, bike, and run.
Community Life
Kinloch has a few handy places for residents and visitors:
- There's a general store where you can buy everyday items.
- You can also find a café at the Kinloch Club golf course, perfect for a snack or a drink.
The Kinloch Volunteer Fire Brigade helps keep the area safe. It's a volunteer group that works with the main fire brigade in Taupō.
Kinloch's People
Kinloch is a growing community. Statistics New Zealand describes it as a small urban area. In 2018, Kinloch had a population of 693 people. This was a big increase from previous years, showing that more and more people are choosing to live or have holiday homes in this lovely town.
