Teaching is the most regulated profession in the world where ongoing tensions remain. Highlighted in the article is the implementation process that was followed by Te Wānanga o Āotearoa in the production of their teacher education degree which is called ‘Te Korowai Ākonga. The Wānanga objective was to prepare Māori teachers for a primary school curriculum that was heavily weighted in traditional Māori knowledge. Such a vision raised the question of capability and sustainability of providing for a programme requiring intensive levels of academic scholarship and resources. Central objectives to Te Wananga o Aotearoa were building their capability across programmes and thereby maintaining the sustainability of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s, unique approach to teacher education.