In 2001, the New Zealand Ministry of Education awarded a contract to a consortium of three colleges of education to provide a training program that would lead to a new national literacy qualification for a newly developed specialist literacy teaching position--Resource Teacher: Literacy. Resource Teachers of Literacy are skilled and experienced classroom teachers. They are required to work with teachers and children to provide quality learning opportunities for children in years one to eight who are making low progress in literacy. This includes advice and guidance to teachers and schools; one on one tutoring; and consultation and maintenance of effective relationships with schools, families, referral agencies, and the wider community. The training program was designed to spread over two years as part time study. The program creates specific challenges to both learners and providers. Key features of the program, structure and delivery, outcomes of the program, meeting the needs and expanding the program, and ongoing professional development are discussed. (Contains 17 references.) (PM)