One of the largest NZQA Registered and Accredited Private Training Establishments in New Zealand began in a single room. Now, Practical Education Institute (PEI) delivers quality education from its thriving campus in the central business district of New Plymouth to the rest of New Zealand.

Established in 1988 by Tony Zieltjes and his wife Pauline Crowley-Zieltjes, PEI features a distinctly personal approach to management. Owners, Tony and Pauline have built a company based on values more closely associated to a family than a commercial enterprise.

Tony’s original involvement with the previously named Practical Arts Centre Trust saw him having to pick up potential students in his old van and then teach them cooking and basic life skills. The need for training and alternative education was great in the 1970s and 1980s. Tony’s approach quickly developed into a chef-training course, enabling students to build careers and gain employment. From here courses expanded to include a much sought after arts programme, travel and tourism, computers and work-based training.

Continual growth and expansion throughout the 1990s saw PEI outgrow its first and second buildings to move to its current location in 1996. A name change to Practical Education Training Centre Ltd (PETC) in 1997 led to further campus development and the launch of new state of the art hospitality facilities in 2003.

In December 2003 PETC was renamed to the Practical Education Institute (NZ) Ltd, (PEI). PEI now provides high quality tuition to both students on campus and also 2000 students by distance every year.

With an established and successful domestic reputation, PEI’s next move was to explore international markets. First the PEI companies’ operational groups were developed into separate companies and the Zieland Group of Companies was formed in 2003.

PEI is part of the Zieland Group of 13 companies in New Zealand and a further 3 companies in Brisbane, Australia. The new companies are supplementary to PEI and/or have developed technology now sold to the world market.

PEI is well established and respected throughout Taranaki and is renowned for the exceptional opportunities it creates for students. PEI supports some key community activities with sponsorships and scholarships for students.

Tony and Pauline now employ over 100 staff in two countries and know most of their staff members. What sets PEI apart from many other institutions is that students sit firmly at the top of its priorities and will continue to do so as long as there is a need for an alternative and practical approach to training and education.