Tech and Life in Fiji Through a Daughter of Diaspora

In 2023, I decided to leave New York City – a place I had come to call home—and move to Fiji, the country my parents are from.

I was born and raised in Australia, but NYC was where I built my sense of self. It was a city of convenience, speed, and endless opportunity—a place that constantly challenged and inspired me.

Leaving all that behind was not easy. I wanted to challenge myself and understand more about where my family comes from.

A difficult arrival

My first few hours in Fiji were a shock to the system.

After a marathon journey from JFK to Nadi, I arrived at my newly leased apartment to find it had been partied in and left in a mess for my move-in.

That moment set the tone for what would be the most significant lifestyle adjustment I’ve ever made, despite having lived in six other cities.

Many of the conveniences and experiences that shaped my everyday life simply didn’t exist here.

The pace of service was slower, the systems less structured, and the mindset different. At times, it felt like I had landed in an entirely different world.

And yet, 18 months later, I’m still here and appreciative of the many opportunities I’ve been given to share stories and help others share theirs digitally.

Experiences like speaking to the Mock Parliament, my newspaper column, and various other opportunities simply would not have happened elsewhere, so quickly.

Diaspora’s dilemma

Another main reason I’ve been able to stay is the virtual nature of my business and industry.

Even though I’m physically in Fiji, my mind is everywhere else. A typical day for me might start with a 7am call with Brazil, followed by a 9am meeting with Washington, DC, a 12pm catch-up with San Francisco, a 3pm discussion with Australia, and a 9pm check-in with London.

This schedule has allowed me to remain active in my industry, continue learning from global markets, and work with diverse businesses and partners.

I know that many diaspora who consider moving to Fiji wonder about how they can maintain the connections and resources they’ve built overseas.

It is indeed possible with a lot of planning and intention.

With my contrasting experiences each day, I often find myself reflecting on the state of digital products in Fiji and how much more considered our digital experiences could be.

Some of the simplest products could be vastly improved with a more user-centric approach.

This isn’t just about catching up to global tech standards – it’s about designing solutions that genuinely work for the people who use them.

Building bridges with the Fijian diaspora

One of the many unexpected joys of moving to Fiji has been connecting with members of the Fijian diaspora who took an interest in my journey.

Shortly after I arrived, three incredible professionals reached out to me. Each of them was born in Fiji and now works at the intersection of humans and technology, making waves in their respective fields in ways that feel especially relevant to Fiji’s tech landscape: 

• One is strategising in the fast-evolving world of crypto in New York City.
• Another is leading e-commerce initiatives for global businesses from Melbourne.
• The third is scaling venture-backed startups from the ground up in San Francisco.

What makes their work so compelling is that they’re all deeply focused on user-centricity – the idea that technology should be designed with the end user in mind.

Despite spending much of their professional lives overseas, these individuals remain passionate about Fiji.

Their stories remind me of the immense talent that exists within the Fijian diaspora and the potential for these individuals to contribute meaningfully to Fiji’s development – if the right bridges are built.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing the stories of these Fiji-born changemakers.

We’ll dive into their roles, explore the challenges they’ve faced, and discuss the importance of user-centric technology in a rapidly changing world.

My hope is that their stories will inspire others and encourage more conversations about how we can leverage global and diverse experiences to build better technology in Fiji.

By: Shenal Harakh

• Shenal Harakh is an Australian-award winning digital entrepreneur, children’s book author, and previous consultant at firms like PwC in Australia, Bermuda, and New York City. She is the Founder of Sunset Studio which is a founder-led software development firm helping organisations grow and scale with custom technical solutions.Learn more at www.buildingatsunset.com.Connect with her work and follow for upskilling workshops on LinkedIn: Shenal Harakh or on X (formerly Twitter): @shenalyo