MR ELEAZAR O’CONNOR | FIJI | BSc in Environmental Science (Biology) | 2005
Eleazar O’Connor or Eli, as he is also known, has a significant name, likened to that of Aaron’s son and Moses’s High Priest in the Bible. He comes from Lagalevu, Nakasaleka in Kadavu, Fiji’s southernmost island and his mother is from the Kingdom of Tonga.
One of five siblings, Eli grew up and was educated in Suva, enrolling at USP in 2003, to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (with an emphasis on biology). He graduated with his BSc in 2005 and went on to enroll in post graduate studies. However, like many, a busy schedule and full-time employment, impacted his ability to focus on his post graduate studies and Eli went on an interesting and fulfilling professional journey for the next few decades of life.
Eli’s work experience after graduation, ranged from doing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)’s field work to being a tutor and marker in geography and biology; Eli also did stints as a primary school admin officer but also as a marketing officer for a media company. These various jobs gave him a diverse work experience. But what lay ahead was perhaps his most demanding role yet.
In 2009, Eli signed up as Conservation Project Manager with Nature Fiji, based in Gau Island in the Lomaiviti group. He lived and worked in Gau from 2009 to 2013. This role gave Eli a unique opportunity to develop a multiplicity of skills, grow his knowledge and lived (outdoor) experiences, giving him insights and a depth, that would stand him in good stead for what lay ahead. In 2013, Eli joined the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as Program Manager for Bilateral Development, looking after Fiji and Tuvalu.
Switching out from bush environment to a desk job took some adjusting, however this period was also strategically opportune in that it gave Eli the time to think and start his first entrepreneurial venture. Eli refers to this as his ‘first side hustle’. In 2018, he founded Clean Water Technologies and Building Construction with a vision to “building a healthier Pacific with improved living standards through universal access to clean water and sanitation”. Eli’s investment of $3k in Water Technologies has seen him grow the company markedly in 5yrs and they now have an annual turnover of under $1m, which is no mean feat when one considers this business came through COVID and other economic challenges of the times.
The entrepreneurial “bug” had taken root in Eli and parting with a desk job at DFAT in 2020, to dive into other business ventures, begun an exciting journey for this alumnus. Eli is also co-founder of Naisevu Organic Farm and the Bulumakau Bank. The latter is an innovative concept to create accessible livestock investment opportunity for modern Fijians, residing in urban areas, both locally and abroad.
In addition to the above, Eli also co-founded a small business development service called Williamson Street and Pender Street Business Centers. Both are in walking distance of downtown Suva and were set up to support small businesses, by offering them an affordable and professional work environment, i.e office space, to work from and enhance their brand.
Another of Eli’s exciting business ventures is an investment company that he co-founded in 2024 called A Thousand Hills Investment Group. This investment company is growing its real estate portfolio, it provides hardware supplies and imports and exports general goods, but they also assist SME’s through advice and assistance with the streamlining of processes when it comes to SME’s accessing financial and business development support.
Eleazar O’Connor was a guest speaker at USP’s Entrepreneurial Fair 2024, held at Laucala Campus and his presentation was fascinating, and he provided simple yet impactful insights and lessons of his journey, providing a lot of inspiration for many SME’s sitting in the room that day. Perhaps one day Eli will share his thoughts on “Key attitudes to succeed as an entrepreneur” in a book or a podcast and until then, he is also proudly a USP Alumnus.
Now in as much as Eli is enthusiastic about entrepreneurship and growing his business, he maintains that what truly grounds his life are his faith in God and his love for his wife Emily and son, Eden. And in asking him for any words of wisdom, Eli O’Connor has this to say, “Discover your purpose and live according to Gods will; love everyone and serve your gifts and talents”.
