In response to community and sector needs, in 2020 an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provider in Aotearoa/New Zealand developed a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) programme with a unique design as an alternative pathway into the profession. The design elements of the programme included being field-based, online, and with a bicultural kaupapa. This article reports on findings from research focussed on the implementation of the programme from the initial cohort of tauira and kaiako/associate teachers after the first year of the programme. Findings indicated that, while the programme had been in line with participants' expectations, they also highlighted some challenges. This included the connection between the programme elements, partnerships between stakeholders, and the communication needed to maintain and sustain the partnership around tauira learning.