O’Connor Partners is an independent advisory firm that helps Boards, CEOs, and CFOs make confident decisions on strategy, investments, and structure. We combine deep analytical capability with practical judgement, working directly with clients on decisions that are often complex, high-stakes, and don’t fit the standard mould.

Based in Te Waipounamu South Island, we bring local, national, and international experience. We have particular expertise in working with organisations such as iwi, co-operatives, and local government, where real-world constraints, including limited access to capital, often shape the available options. Our clients value our straight talk, intellectual honesty, and the fact that they work directly with senior people who roll up their sleeves to get the job done.

The kea in our corporate identity is a quiet nod to our Te Waipounamu South Island home and to the curiosity, adaptability, and practical problem-solving mindset we bring to complex situations.

The team

Mike O’Connor

Mike O’Connor

Mike has spent nearly 40 years in New Zealand's financial markets, holding senior roles with both principal investors and professional advisory firms. Mike has a talent for combining hard-won market experience with deep domain knowledge of financial and behavioural economics to solve commercial problems, particularly for organisations that have no easy access to new equity funding.

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Jacob Fone

Jacob Fone

Jacob has over a decade of experience in public practice and in-house roles, having worked throughout Te Waipounamu South Island and in Edinburgh. Jacob gets things done efficiently, effectively, and without drama. He uses his knowledge of finance and accounting with his data analysis and visualisation skills to unearth insights for practical decision-making.

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Dace Caldwell

Dace Caldwell

Dace has over 15 years of experience across professional advisory services and in-house corporate strategy roles, having worked in Christchurch, Auckland, and Germany. His strength is bringing together economics, investment, risk, and strategy to help clients work through challenges where commercial factors matter, but success is defined by more than financial outcomes alone.

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As a Corporate Associate Member of Cooperative Business New Zealand, we’re proud to support a sector where ownership, purpose, and long-term value matter.