Seven Oaks, Kinloch – A Legacy Realised with Cheal
Kinloch, a tranquil lakeside village born from former Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake’s visionary co‑purchase of Whangamatā Station in the 1950s continues to evolve as a refined Lake Taupō community. The Seven Oaks subdivision represents one of its latest expansions, conceived to enhance Kinloch’s serene environment with carefully integrated design.
The development is thoughtfully laid out across over 200 landscape-driven sections, featuring an integrated walkway and bike trail network, extensive plantings, playground, natural stormwater management areas, and residential sites commanding panoramic views of Lake Taupō and Mount Ruapehu.
Cheal’s role in this project has been pivotal
Cheal’s multidisciplinary team provided comprehensive services, including land surveying, civil engineering, and resource management planning, ensuring the subdivision met both the aesthetic aspirations and functional requirements of a modern lifestyle community.
Resource Management & Planning:
Cheal managed the resource consent process including subdivision and land-use consents under the Resource Management Act facilitating documentation, consultation, and regulatory compliance from application through to implementation.
Civil Engineering & Design:
Specialising in infrastructure at multiple scales, Cheal provided feasibility studies, detailed design using 12d and Civil 3D software, and construction supervision aligned with local and regional regulatory standards. A sophisticated network of individual stormwater catchments was implemented to detain and treat runoff, minimize sediment, and elevate water quality ensuring ecological sustainability consistent with the developer’s vision. By integrating engineering innovation with landscape sensitivity, Cheal ensured that Seven Oaks aligns with both community expectations and the ethos first envisaged by Sir Holyoake preserving the natural character of Kinloch while delivering sustainable infrastructure.
Surveying:
Licensed cadastral and construction surveyors from Cheal undertook boundary surveys, topographic mapping, and high-precision site set-out services. These included layout of new lot boundaries, roads, infrastructure alignment, and house platforms to sub-centimetre accuracy using state-of-the-art survey equipment and software, supporting the developer’s vision and complying with Land Information New Zealand requirements.
Geospatial Mapping:
Cheal deployed UAV (drone) surveys and laser scanning to capture detailed landscape data, generating 3D models and GIS datasets to support design coordination and visual planning throughout the project.
Seven Oaks stands as a testament to Cheal’s commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable developments that enhance community living.
Source: Seven Oaks Kinloch Ltd