Nature's Wonders chairman Perry Reid confirmed the family business was partnering with Department of Discovery to expand the nine-year-old business, which had "become too big for one family".
The 215ha property would remain in the family trust, with the new partnership aimed at developing new tourism experiences, including a Maori cultural component.
"There will be significant job creation for Dunedin, and it will bring significant business to the city," he said.
Mr Reid said he had been in discussions with Department of Discovery managing director Andrew Te Whaiti for more than a year regarding the joint venture, with more details to be released in the coming months.
Mr Te Whaiti said the Tauranga-based company had worked with indigenous cultures in New Zealand, the United States and Hawaii to create authentic cultural tourism products.
"We only work with people we believe in," he said.
"The partnership is based on family values, so the uniqueness of the relationship matches the uniqueness of the experience."
The company was attracted to Nature's Wonders' conservation values, which include work on a predator-proof fence, predator control and native tree replanting.
Dunedin was also considered to be a growth area for tourism and the company would be meeting Ngai Tahu representatives to discuss the venture, he said.
Former Tourism Waitaki business manager Glenn Ormsby will market the venture.
