About 130 family members gathered in the tiny Otago township both to commemorate his death on the World War 1 battlefields of Belgium, and to celebrate the family alive today.
Pte Kinney, a sheep farmer, travelled to Europe from Hyde in July 1917, sailed for France from England in November, and was killed just a few weeks later.
His remains were not recovered, so could not be repatriated.
"We’ve got the cross, and the thought is we’ll put it in the cemetery, and just recognise that’s the closest he’ll ever get to coming home."
Descendent Bernadette Forrest, of Blenheim, said plans for the gathering began after her family inherited a suitcase of Pte Kinney’s belongings.
"We thought we should share it."
A booklet had been put together showing letters sent to Pte Kinney from his sister, telegrams sent to the family when he died, newspaper articles, medals and pictures of a cemetery in Belgium where his name is included on a memorial.
Mr Whelan said Kinneys moved to Hyde 148 years ago, and there were still 17 in the Hyde area.
He said the theme of the day was "a living family tree".
"We’re not just memorialising Frank Kinney, we’re celebrating the fact that we’re all here."
Family members visited the local cemetery, which held the graves of many relatives, and a wreath was laid at the cenotaph in the Hyde township, which features his name.
