Meet our team of funeral directors in New Plymouth

Let us redefine the meaning of personalised service

Vospers has been the cornerstone of support for families in the area for over 90 years, offering guidance and compassion during life’s most challenging moments.

Renowned for our attentive, personal approach, we ensure every detail of your loved one’s farewell reflects their unique personality and legacy.

Mike Aro

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Manager, Funeral Director & Embalmer

Mike started his funeral career in 1979 in Auckland, working for 8 years as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. He achieved the Certificate in Funeral Services in 1983 after completing qualifications in both disciplines.

After a short stint as a full-time Ambulance Officer, he joined the Central Institute of Technology, Trentham, as the first full-time Tutor of Funeral Services, a position he held for two years. In 1992 he joined the NZ Police and served for 25 years, transferring to Taranaki in 1998. He retired from Police in 2017 and took on the role of Manager of Vospers at that time.

Mike has found that although the way funerals are organised has changed markedly in the past 40 years, the way individuals experience grief has not. The raw hurt that results from losing someone you love often has a profound effect on your life and we, as funeral directors, have a responsibility to ensure that we provide services and guidance worthy of this high calling.

Jacqueline Cox

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Funeral Director & Embalmer

Jacqueline started her funeral career at Vospers Funeral Services in 2013 after a very successful career as a Travel Consultant and Manager. She brought with her a keen eye for detail and a vast array of organisational ability, which complemented the Embalming and Funeral Directing skills she learned. She studied at Weltec and graduated as a qualified Embalmer in 2016 and a qualified Funeral Director in 2019.

Jacqueline had the distinction of being the top student of her Funeral Directing course, an achievement that is a testimony to her empathy and skill, as much as her determination and a reflection of her hard work.

Jacqueline’s over-arching philosophy is that she will do everything in her power to ensure every person she works with will be able to wake up the morning after the funeral, knowing their loved one had a meaningful farewell. It is about being able to make a difference in people’s lives.

Andrew King

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Funeral Director

Andrew started his funeral career at Vospers Funeral Services in 2004 after working at Taranaki Newspapers for over 27 years, and became a qualified Funeral Director in 2009. After a break of a few years working in a retail environment, he re-joined the team at Vospers.

Andrew is skilled in taking the time to listen to what people are saying, offers options that will meets their needs, and gives caring advice.

Andrew believes that whether it’s with the families you care for, or the people you work with, it is the relationships you build that bring the best results. Trust is the key in a profession where people’s lives have been turned upside down, and at times can see no way forward.