Village vision takes shape
By Dee Wilson
Drawings for the proposed Kinloch shopping centre.
Developers of a proposed grocery and shopping complex at Kinloch say long standing family ties with the lakeside settlement and a desire to create a high-quality hub for the growing community are major drivers for the project.
The development – Kinloch Village - on the corner of Kinloch and Kenrigg Roads was given the go ahead by Taupo District Council earlier this month. The complex will include a small supermarket, café/restaurant with an outside area accommodating up to 30 people and up to seven retail outlets.
A tendering process is underway with construction expected to start towards the end of the year and a planned opening at the end of 2026.
Henry Hall
The goal of the consent holder, Auckland businessmen Henry Hall’s family trust is to create a retail facility that will service the growing needs of Kinloch without detracting from the “village feel” that makes the settlement so attractive.
Kinloch became a gathering place for Henry and his two older brothers 35 years ago after their parents John and Judy Hall sold a bach at Taupo and shifted their holiday base to the quieter environment of Kinloch. Today, all three brothers have holiday homes at Kinloch where they holiday with their respective families.
Six years ago, Henry purchased and refurbished the Kinloch Store. He says while the store is a waterfront landmark that will always have a role in the community, the proposed shopping complex will help service the needs of the growing community.
(The resident population estimated at around 1300 reportedly increased 143.5 percent between 2013 and 2023 and new residential and lifestyle subdivisions are still coming on stream. The population swells by around 6,000 during the summer holiday season.)
Henry says the proposed new shopping centre is more than just a business opportunity.
“We have a vested interest in Kinloch. Our children have grown up holidaying here - boating, fishing, golfing, possum hunting and mountain biking – and we are keen to preserve the special nature of the area.
“It’s not just about building shops but creating a central pedestrian friendly and quality inclusive spaces that will be a hub for the village.”
He says the former Trev Terry Marine site is in a perfect location beside the main road into Kinloch making it a natural stopping place for locals and visitors.
Feedback and consultation with the Kinloch Community Association and the wider community has guided the layout, design and tenant priorities.
Henry’s own experiences as a long-term holidaymaker and homeowner have also came in handy.
“We’ve talked to people in the community over the years, on the beach at Waihaha and sometimes over a croquet mallet at midnight about their ideas, and those chats have also helped shaped what we’re doing here.”
He says there has been strong early interest from potential tenants who share the desire to create a vibrant year-round hub that enhances the village feel and serves the community.
“I love a good bar-b-que but after years of burnt sausages, I reckon a café in the new hub will be a welcome option.”
Henry says Kinloch has given the Hall family decades of memories and it is good to have the opportunity to give something back.