Introduction
Pennie is a life-long learner who has been teaching and involved in education for over 30 years, including key senior leadership roles at Kelston Girl’s College and Manurewa High School. She has initiated and tutored Niuean cultural groups for the ASB Polyfest at McAuley High School, Papatoetoe High School, and Otago Boy’s High School and was a school leader for the Auckland Girl’s Grammar Niuean group as a student. She also initiated and taught the first Vagahau Niue classes that utilised NZQA assessments from 2008 – 2013 at Papatoetoe High School while also designing and implementing the Polyfest Assessment Package for the Niue Stage at the ASB Polyfest during that time. Pennie is an ordained Presbyterian Minister and has also worked for the Department of Corrections as a Prison Chaplain.
Something Personal
Pennie’s interests are in Indigenous framings and the contribution of Pasifika and Indigenous minority groups across all spaces.
Qualifications
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Masters in Professional Studies (Hons)
Doctorate in Education
Professional Experience
Head of Education at Laidlaw College (since January 2026), providing strategic leadership in teacher education.
Former Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Education, supporting over 50 schools and advancing the Pasifika Education Plan in communities.
Held senior leadership roles in secondary schools, including Kelston Girls’ College and Manurewa High School.
Broader professional service including ordained Presbyterian Minister and Prison Chaplain with the Department of Corrections.
Recent Publications
Togiatama-Otto, P. (2019). Through my brown eyes: Niuean school boys’ experiences in two New Zealand secondary schools. Set: Research Information for Teachers, 3, 12–18.Togiatama-Otto PV. (2015). Through My Brown Eyes. Midwifery Today Int Midwife. Autumn;(115):44-8. PMID: 26591420.
Kalauni, R., Pocock, F., Otto, P., O’Halloran, T., Lafu, B., Drysdale, L., Asekona, H., Peika, K., Otto, P., & Viliko, M. (2010). Tau Kaleveleve Ne Tauhele Aki E Mauaga He Vagahau Mo E Aga Fakamotu Niue: Challenges of language and cultural loss: Challenges of language and cultural loss. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 6(2), 163-170.
Teaching & Expertise
Over 30 years in education, with deep expertise in secondary teaching, leadership, and culturally responsive pedagogy across diverse New Zealand contexts.
Strong focus on Pasifika and Indigenous education, including language revitalisation and culturally grounded research methodologies.
Specialist in Vagahau Niue education, having designed and delivered NZQA-aligned programmes and assessment frameworks.
Experienced researcher and academic, with a doctoral background and published work centred on Niuean student experiences and Indigenous perspectives in education.
