Dr Penni Wolfgramm

Dr Penni Albert Kanongata’a Wolfgramm (she/her/ia) is a Pacific registered Clinical Psychologist and researcher and advocate for Pacific rainbow+ communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

Born in Tāmaki Makaurau to Tongan parents, she has heritage to Niuatoputapu, ‘Utungake and Fungamisi (Vava’u), and Kolonga and Niutoua (Tongatapu), as well as Germany and Ireland. Dr Penni identifies proudly as a leitī and her doctoral research explored the life experiences of leitī living in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has recently completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and is the first leitī to receive such a qualification, globally.

Dr Penni currently practices at Village Collective Trust’s Youth One Stop Shop Clinic in the south of Auckland, working to support the wellbeing aspirations of local Pacific youth. She also works as a Consultant for the Rainbow Fale at Village Collective Trust, and as the Pacific Rainbow+ Peoples Lead at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. In both roles, she provides advisory expertise to ensure the issues, concerns and goals for Pacific rainbow+ communities are included in policy development and service delivery across government and beyond.

*A collective term for Tongan people assigned male at birth who have diverse sexual and/or gender identities and expressions.