Lucas Vetter
Location Manager
Lucas Vetter joined Lychgate in late 2025 after a varied career across both the Wellington public and private sector. With a background in emergency management and disaster relief, Lucas has worked across government agencies and around the country to support people during one of their worst days.
As a practicing wedding and funeral celebrant, as well as educator at the Celebrant School, the funeral industry was always going to be an obvious choice for Lucas. His first experience in the industry at the age of 22 led him to developing a passion for supporting families, caring for others loved ones and creating a space of gentle reassurance and calm during difficult times.
"I came to Lychgate not to manage the staff, but to empower them to support our families in the best way possible. Ensuring that we are the guiding light in a time of darkness is the most important thing we can be for our families. I want to ensure that every individual, family and community that we serve knows that they can turn to us during their time of need and can trust that their loved one will be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve."
Having lived in Wellington Central for over 12 years, Lucas now calls himself a local. When he is not serving others in his community, he is often found cooking for friends, seeking adventure around the country (or the world!), playing the piano or out socialising and meeting new people.
Naomi Maruaao
Funeral Director
Naomi was born and bred in Tokoroa before moving to Wellington as a teenager. She has worked across the hairdressing and hospitality sectors which have helped develop her eye for detail and multi-tasking skills. In her spare time, she plays netball and loves getting out on Wellington's walking tracks. Naomi loves nothing more than being with her children and her fur babies.
“The paths I’ve walked in life have guided me to where care and compassion matter most. At the heart of my work, my greatest priority is the respect and dignity of our loved ones.” Naomi joined the Lychgate team in 2023 and is honoured to provide comfort and closure for families.
Kerry Hight
Funeral Director
Originally from the UK, Kerry has been living in New Zealand for 19 years (after travelling to many amazing places across the world for almost a year to get here).
For the past few years, she worked part-time in the funeral industry around Porirua and the wider Wellington region while also working as an in-home support carer. In March 2022 Kerry joined the Lychgate team full time. She loves the variety of work where no two days are the same.
“Working as a funeral director is something I hold very close to my heart. Every family I meet is carrying a unique story, a deep love, and often a heavy grief — and I consider it a privilege to walk beside them during such tender moments.”
Outside of work, Kerry is kept busy by her three awesome children, two dogs and three cats. She enjoys live music and festivals, camping and road trips, and spending time with her family and friends.
John Drennan
Funeral Director
Originally from Ireland, John met his Kiwi wife while they were both living and working in Limerick. Having lived together in Ireland for almost a decade, the death of his father-in-law back in Whanganui prompted an eventual family move back to NZ
John has worked in many and varied fields previously, however the death of his own Father and brother-in-law a few years ago stopped him in his tracks, and he began to ask the bigger questions about life, death and bereavement. Those experiences opened up deeper questions about life, grief, and the ways we care for one another during times of loss. These questions set him on a path toward work that felt more meaningful and grounded in compassion.
John’s main interest is in people and their stories - and to that end he has, in the past, worked and studied in the areas of sociology, music, history and science. As a Funeral Director, he is grateful to bring empathy, steadiness, and respect to every family he serves, guiding them with care through life’s most tender moments.
Rachel Dougherty
Administrator
Rachel was born in Lower Hutt, grew up in Dunedin and settled back in Wellington ten years ago. She joined Lychgate Funerals in 2025, bringing breadth of experience working in a compassionate capacity with clients in a range of roles.
Rachel is familiar with taking on different tasks, including supporting people in employment and being an Ambassador for the Christchurch city rebuilding plan, in a public facing role. A strong nature lover, one of her favourite places to hang out is Zealandia and is thrilled to have seen four Titipounamu (Rifleman) on one of her visits there. Rachel values being part of a team that provides care and comfort for families.