Rachel House

Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House ONZM, born on 20 October 1971, is a celebrated actress and director from New Zealand. She is acclaimed for her roles in the films of Taika Waititi and has received honors such as the Arts Laureate, NZ Order of Merit, 'Mana Wahine' from WIFT NZ and Te Waipuna a Rangi (Matariki Awards) for her contributions as an actor and director. Brought up in Kamo, Whangārei, by her adoptive Scottish parents John and Sheila House, she owns Māori affiliations with the iwi of Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa, and Ngāi Tahu. Her career as an actress started at the Pacific Underground Theatre and Auckland Theatre Company after graduating from Toi Whakaari, the national drama school of New Zealand, in 1992. Significant roles in Taika Waititi's films and a regular stint on Maddigan's Quest led to international recognition. Besides this, she has voiced popular characters such as Gramma Tala in Disney's Moana (2016) and Terry in Pixar's Soul (2020). As an acting coach, she has collaborated with Jane Campion and Taika Waititi on several projects.

House transitioned into directing after her graduation, leading her to win accolades for works including Have Car, Will Travel by Mitch Tawhi Thomas. She underwent further studies in directing at the Prague Film School and directed several short films and the Māori-language version of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida. Her directorial prowess was also seen in animated features like The Lion King (2004) and Moana (2016), which were reversioned in the Māori language. House's first directorial feature film premiered in 2024. Respected as an actor and director, House bagged the 'Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year' Chapman Tripp Theatre Award in 1995 and the New Zealand Arts Foundation's Laureate Award in 2012, among many others. She was also appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2017.