A longitudinal study of teacher education in three New Zealand Colleges of Education (Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch) was conducted between the years 1989-1992 to examine: (1) the process of teacher education as it unfolded over time for those involved in it; (2) the experiences of a cohort of students preparing to become primary school teachers; and (3) the professional socialization of teacher trainees. This final report of the project begins with an overview of the reactions of 100 beginning teachers to their experience in the classroom during their first year. It then shifts back in time to describe and discuss some of the findings related to the experiences of these beginning teachers and others in their cohort while they were students--their experiences of college courses which contributed to their current experiences as beginning teachers. The report brings together issues discussed with students and beginning teachers over the course of the four years, and sets the findings in a broader context. Informants' views raised questions about future policy, practice, and organization for teacher education in New Zealand. The document concludes with 4 student profiles. Contains approximately 150 references. (LL)