Kinloch (from Scottish Gaelic: Ceann Loch) is a small town on the most northerly bay of Lake Taupō, 20 kilometres (12 mi) by road northwest of Taupō on the North Island Volcanic Plateau of New Zealand.

Sir Keith Holyoake, then the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture of New Zealand, purchased the land in 1953 in partnership with his friend Theodore Nisbet Gibbs and Gibbs' son Ian.

The land, which had been purchased from Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi in 1884, was a block of 5,385 acres largely covered in scrub and fern.

[4][6] The town was extended by a large subdivision called "Holy Oaks" to the northwest in 2001, despite opposition from local residents and concerns about environmental impacts held by local iwi.

[7] In February 2021, a lakefront three-bedroom house sold for NZ$4.075 million, which was a record for the town.

[12][13] The Kinloch Club golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in March 2007.

[17] Statistics New Zealand describes Kinloch as a small urban area, which covers 4.64 km2 (1.79 sq mi).

Before the 2023 census, the settlement had a smaller boundary, covering 2.45 km2 (0.95 sq mi).

[18] Mapara statistical area surrounds Kinloch and covers 136.00 km2 (52.51 sq mi).

Before the 2023 census, the statistical area included Kinloch, covering 140.67 km2 (54.31 sq mi).