It was a heart-wrenching decision but Agrodome's Warren Harford says he has no doubt bringing Ngai Tahu Tourism into the family business was the smart thing to do.
Speaking exclusively to The Daily Post, Mr Harford said the Agrodome had been a family business since his father George Harford and Godfrey Bowen founded the attraction in 1971.
"There is a lot of history there. Three generations of Harfords and Bowens have worked in the business and it was hard for the heart.
"But the family realises it makes good business sense. It's the way the whole industry is going - your competition is not just the person down the road any more. It's the whole world of tourism and family businesses are a bit hog tied in what they can achieve without the backing of larger organisations such as Ngai Tahu Tourism."
Mr Harford said the new partnership between the two families and the South Island iwi group would provide greater opportunities to further develop the Agrodome, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next month, and the Lakeland Queen, which it bought from receivers in 2006.