Bicultural practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand is an integral aspect of social work. However, there can be a lack of understanding and engagement in some spaces. Collaborative bicultural practice could encourage a more active engagement by creating a reciprocal Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership between Maori and non-Maori. This research focussed on how bicultural partnership can create a more dynamic and effective approach to practice that privileges Te Ao Maori to benefit whaiora of any ethnicity. The research design was grounded in social constructionist theory and used a decolonising, Te Tiriti o Waitangi lens. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with four registered social workers. An integrated, narrative approach to analysis allowed for multiple narrative levels to be considered. For a detailed exploration of the methodological design please see the companion article in this issue "Apiti hono, tatai hono. A collaborative bicultural social work research approach" (Deverick and Mooney, 2023). The findings of this research followed the narrative of diverse personal journeys, and illustrated that wider social, historical and political contexts are inseparable from practice. Recommendations show a need for more commitment from the public sphere to bridge the gap between policy and practice; more research is required to establish this approach as a successful partnership model; a clear need for the support of agency and government policy; and social workers need to have more courageous conversations for bicultural partnerships to succeed and flourish.