| Birth name | Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 20 October 1971 (age 55)[1] |
| Birth place | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Actress · director |
| Years active | 1992–present |
Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House (born 20 October 1971) is a New Zealand actress and director. She is best known for her roles in the films of Taika Waititi. She has received numerous accolades including an 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.
Early life
House was born 20 October 1971 in Auckland and raised in Kamo, Whangārei by her adoptive Scottish parents John and Sheila House.[1][2] Her Māori iwi (tribal) affiliations are Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa and Ngāi Tahu.[3]
Career
Acting
House attended the New Zealand national drama school, Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1992.[2] She went into stage work with the Pacific Underground Theatre and the Auckland Theatre Company.[2]
She has acted in several major productions that have toured nationally and internationally, including Hone Kouka's Waiora, Carol Anne Duffy's The Worlds Wife and the UK/New Zealand co-production of Beauty and the Beast.[2]
In 1998 House made her screen debut in the short film Queenie and Pete.[4] In 2002 she appeared in the award-winning feature film Whale Rider. In 2005 she became a series regular on Maddigan's Quest alongside a young Rose McIver.
In 2008 House appeared in Taika Waititi's first feature film, Eagle vs Shark. She has gone on to become a regular collaborator with Waititi, appearing in his second film, Boy, in 2010, and providing acting coach for the young actors on set.[5] In 2016 she appeared in Waititi's third film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and again provided acting coaching for the young lead Julian Dennison.[6]
House voiced Gramma Tala in the 2016 Disney animated film Moana. In 2017, she played Grandmaster's bodyguard Topaz in Thor: Ragnarok. In 2019, she was one of the leading roles in Bellbird, a film that received several awards at several international film festivals. In 2020, she voiced Terry in the Pixar animated film Soul.
She plays one of the main roles in the Australian 2023 comedy drama series Bay of Fires, and in 2024 reprised her role in the second season of the award-winning Netflix series Heartbreak High.[7] In response to her work in Australia, Bridget McManus of the Sydney Morning Herald wrote, "with her commanding presence and unmistakable New Zealand accent, Rachel House is a serial scene-stealer on Australian television and film."[8]
In television, House became a series regular in the Netflix reboot series Heartbreak High as Principal Stacy "Woodsy" Woods in 2022. The same year, House also appeared in the Apple TV+ series Foundation and ABC series Bay of Fires. In 2023, House portrayed the pirate Mary Read in season 2 of the HBO Max comedy Our Flag Means Death.
As a voice actor, she is known for her roles as "Gramma Tala" in Disney's Moana (2016) and "Terry" in Pixar's Soul (2020). In 2023 she voiced "Grandma Coco" in the Māori language version of Pixar's Coco (2017). She has starred in numerous animated series for television, including Sherwood, The Lion Guard, Amphibia, Pinecone and Pony, What If...?, Kiff and Koala Man.
As an acting coach, House has worked alongside Jane Campion for Top of the Lake and The Power of the Dog (2021); and with Taika Waititi on Boy (2010), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), Jojo Rabbit (2019) and Next Goal Wins (2023).
House was named as part of the cast for Stan Australia series Sunny Nights.[9]
Directing
House has directed numerous theatrical performances, short films and a feature film released in 2024.
After graduating from drama school in 1992, House went on to direct theatrical performances, including Have Car, Will Travel by Mitch Tawhi Thomas in 2001 for which she won several awards.[2]
In 2008, House studied directing at the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic. While there she made two short films, Bravo and New Skirt.[2]
In 2010, she directed Kylie Meehan's short film The Winter Boy, produced by Hineani Melbourne for the New Zealand Film Commission's Premiere Shorts.
In 2012, House directed the Māori-language version of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, Toroihi rāua ko Kahira, adapted by Te Haumihiata Mason and set in a classical Māori and a pre-colonial Māori world. It was performed as part of an international series at London's Globe Theatre. Other theatre directing work includes the award-winning production of Hinepau, which House also co-adapted from Gavin Bishop's original book and toured both nationally and internationally, Neil La Bute's The Mercy Seat and Hui by longtime collaborator Mitch Tawhi Thomas that premiered at the Auckland Arts Festival in 2013.
In 2016, House directed Auckland-based theatre company Silo Theatre's production of Medea,[10] a contemporary retelling of the Euripides myth created by Australian theatre-makers Kate Mulvany and Anne-Louise Sarks.
House has co-directed with Tweedie Waititi of Matewa Media for the Māori language versions of Disney animated films The Lion King (2004) and Moana (2016).[11]
In 2024, House's first feature film as a director premiered in Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand. The Mountain is "a heartfelt drama about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Mounga (Mountain) and discover friendship in the spirit of adventure".[12][13]
Recognition
In 1995, House won the "Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year" Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for her one-woman show Nga Pou Wahine by Briar Grace-Smith.[2] In 2000 she won Most Outstanding Performance for her role in Witi Ihimaera's critically acclaimed play Woman Far Walking (as Tiriti, a 160-year-old woman)[14] and in 2003, Best Supporting Actress in Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People.[2]
House won the 2001 Director of the Year award at both the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards and the New Zealand Listener Awards for her direction of Mitch Tawhi Thomas' play Have Car Will Travel.[2]
She attended the Prague Film School in 2008 and was awarded Best Director and Best Film Audience Award for her two short films made while studying there.[2][where?]
In 2012, she received the New Zealand Arts Foundation's Laureate Award, which is given as an investment in excellence across a range of art forms for an artist with prominence and outstanding potential for future growth. In the same year, she won Production of the Year and Director of the Year at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, for her direction of Toroihi rāua ko Kahira.[2]
In 2016, House received the WIFT (Women in Film and Television) NZ Mana Wāhine Award for her prolific contribution to theatre and film, both in front of and behind the camera.[15]
In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, House was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts.[16]
In 2018, House was a joint winner with Professor Derek Lardelli of the Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment at the Matariki Awards,[17] held by Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori TV).
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Whale Rider | Shilo | |
| 2004 | Fracture | Taxi driver | |
| 2006 | Perfect Creature | Forensic woman | |
| 2007 | Eagle vs Shark | Nancy | |
| 2010 | Boy | Aunty Gracey | Also acting coach[18] |
| 2013 | White Lies | Maraea | |
| 2014 | Everything We Loved | TV reporter (voice) | |
| The Dark Horse | Vagrant woman | ||
| 2016 | Hunt for the Wilderpeople | Paula Hall | Director's intern and dialogue coach |
| The Rehearsal | Rewia | ||
| Cradle | System (voice) | Short film[19] | |
| Moana | Gramma Tala (voice) | English and Māori-language dubbings | |
| 2017 | Thor: Ragnarok | Topaz | |
| 2019 | Bellbird | Connie | [20] |
| Jojo Rabbit | American Soldier | Deleted scene; also acting coach[21] | |
| 2020 | Ellie & Abbie (& Ellie's Dead Aunt) | Patty | |
| Penguin Bloom | Gaye | ||
| Soul | Terry (voice) | ||
| Baby Done | Principal Mullins | ||
| 2021 | Cousins | Missy | |
| Rhys Darby: Mystic Time Bird | The Shaman (voice) | Recorded voice role[22] | |
| Millie Lies Low | Marlene | [23] | |
| Back to the Outback | Jacinta (voice) | ||
| 2023 | The Portable Door | Nienke Van Spee | |
| Next Goal Wins | Ruth | ||
| The Moon Is Upside Down | Tuffy | [24] | |
| Coco | Mamá Coco (voice) | Māori-language dubbing[25] | |
| 2024 | Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire | Hampton | |
| Moana 2 | Gramma Tala (voice) | ||
| 2025 | A Minecraft Movie | Malgosha (voice) | [26] |
| Kangaroo | Jesse | ||
| Zootopia 2 | Gramma Taller (Voice) | Cameo[27] | |
| 2027 | Ally | (voice) | In-production[28] |
Director
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008[2] | Bravo | Short film |
| New Skirt | Short film | |
| 2010 | The Winter Boy | Short film[2] |
| 2024 | The Mountain |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Queenie and Pete | Queenie | |
| 1998 | Duggan | Warder | Introductory episode 2: "Sins of the Fathers" |
| Tiger Country | Faenza | Television movie | |
| 1999–2000 | The Life and Times of Te Tutu | Hine | Core cast |
| 2002 | Mataku | Rachel | Season 1; episode 3: "Going to War" |
| Revelations – The Initial Journey | Ocelot | ||
| 2005 | Ask Your Auntie | Panelist | |
| 2006 | Maddigan's Quest | Goneril | Core cast. 8 episodes |
| 2011 | Super City | Roimata | Season 1; 2 episodes |
| 2013 | The Blue Rose | Tina | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Hope and Wire | Joycie Waru | Miniseries; 3 episodes |
| 2014–2016 | Soul Mates | Mum | Seasons 1 & 2; 10 episodes |
| 2015 | Find Me a Māori Bride | Kuini | Season 1; episode 2 |
| 2016 | Wolf Creek | Ruth | Season 1; episode 2 & 6: "Kutyukutyu" and "Wolf Creek" |
| 2018 | Wrecked | Martha | Season 3; 7 episodes |
| 2018, 2020 | The New Legends of Monkey | Monica / Demon Queen Hakuru | Season 1 & 2; 7 episodes |
| 2019 | Sherwood | Tui | 7 episodes |
| Get Krack!n | Sybill Rigg | Season 2; episode 5 | |
| Over and Out | Barbar | Miniseries; episode 4 | |
| Aroha Bridge | Whaea Bubbles | Season 3; 6 episodes | |
| The Lion Guard | Mama Binturong (voice) | Season 3; 6 episodes | |
| 2020 | Stateless | Harriet | Miniseries; 6 episodes |
| 2020–2021 | 100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone | Ms. Afeaki (voice) | 11 episodes |
| 2021 | Cowboy Bebop | Mao | Main cast. 3 episodes |
| 2021, 2023 | Creamerie | Doc Garvey | Seasons 1 & 2; 8 episodes |
| 2021–2024 | What If...? | Topaz (voice) | Seasons 1–3; 3 episodes |
| 2022 | Amphibia | Parisia (voice) | Season 3; episode 12: "Olm Town Road" |
| 2022–2023 | Pinecone & Pony | Gladys (voice) | Recurring role. Seasons 1 & 2; 7 episodes |
| 2022–2026 | Heartbreak High | Woodsy | Recurring role. Seasons 1, 2, 3; 20 episodes |
| 2023 | Koala Man | Janine / Louise (voice) | Main role. 6 episodes |
| Bay of Fires | Airini | Season 1; 5 episodes | |
| Foundation[29] | Tellem Bond | Season 2; 5 episodes | |
| Our Flag Means Death [30] | Mary Read | Season 2; episode 4: "Fun and Games" | |
| Kiff | Mary Buns (voice) | 4 episodes | |
| 100% Wolf: Book of Hath | Ms. Afeaki (voice) | 17 episodes | |
| 2024 | Time Bandits | Fianna | 10 episodes |
| The Legend of Vox Machina [31] | Dohla (voice) | Season 3; episodes 3 & 5: "Vexations" and "The Frigid Doom" | |
| 2025 | Sunny Nights | Mony | 7 episodes |
Theatre
Actor
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Tales of the Pacific | Various | Pacific Underground Theatre |
| By Degrees | Donna | Auckland Theatre Company | |
| Savage Hearts – Manawa Taua | Various | Theatre at Large | |
| 1995 | Risky Risque | Baby | BATS Theatre |
| Nga Pou Wahine | Various | New Zealand Tour | |
| The Maids | Claire | ||
| Five Angels | Carol / Api | Centrepoint Theatre | |
| 1996 | Waiora | America | New Zealand International Festival of the Arts |
| Waitapu | Jackie | New Zealand and Canadian Tour | |
| King Lear | Cordelia / Various | Theatre at Large | |
| 1997 | Waiora | America | New Zealand and UK Tour |
| Alice in Wonderland | Various | Bruce Mason Centre | |
| Nga Pou Wahine | New Zealand and Sydney – Australia Tour | ||
| 1998 | Beauty and the Beast | New Zealand International Festival of the Arts | |
| 2000 | Serial Killers | Simone | Circa Theatre |
| Woman Far Walking | Tiriti | New Zealand International Festival of the Arts | |
| 2001 | New Zealand and Hawaiian Tour | ||
| 2002 | The World's Wife | Various | New Zealand International Festival of the Arts |
| The Bellbird | Tapairu | Auckland Theatre Company | |
| South Pacific | Bloody Mary | Court Theatre | |
| 2003 | Cherish | Maeve | Circa Theatre |
| An Enemy of the People | |||
| The World's Wife | Various | New Zealand Tour | |
| 2010 | The Vagina Monologues | The Basement Theatre | |
| 2013 | White Rabbit, Red Rabbit | Nassim | Silo Theatre |
Director
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Have Car Will Travel | Taki Rua |
| 2002 | Silo Theatre | |
| 2005 | The Mercy Seat | |
| Hinepau | Capital E National Theatre for Children | |
| 2006 | Australian Tour | |
| 2006–2007 | Frangipani Perfume | New Zealand; Brisbane, Australia; Cambridge, UK |
| 2007 | Wild Dogs Under My Skirt | Auckland Festival |
| 2009 | Flintlock Musket | STAMP at THE EDGE |
| 2010 | The Vagina Monologues | The Basement Theatre[32] |
| 2012 | The Māori Troilus and Cressida | Globe Theatre |
| 2013 | Hui | Auckland Arts Festival and Silo Theatre |
| Don Ioane | Pacific Institute of Performing Arts | |
| 2014 | MISS.Understood | |
| 2016 | Medea | Silo Theatre |
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Chapman Tripp Theatre Award | Most Promising Female Newcomer | Nga Pou Wahine | |
| 1996 | Best Supporting Actress | King Lear | ||
| 2001 | Director of the Year | Have Car Will Travel | ||
| New Zealand Listener Award | Best Director | |||
| 2002 | Chapman Tripp Theatre Award | Outstanding Performance | Woman Far Walking | |
| 2003 | Best Supporting Actress | An Enemy of the People | ||
| 2008 | Prague Film School | Best Director | Bravo | |
| Prague Film School Audience Award | Best Film | New Skirt | ||
| 2010 | Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Boy | |
| 2012 | Chapman Tripp Theatre Award | Director of the Year | The Māori Troilus and Cressida | |
| New Zealand Arts Foundation Laureate Award | ||||
| 2016 | WIFT NZ Mana Wāhine Award | |||
| 2018 | Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment | Entertainer of the Year |
References
- ^ "Today in History: October 20". thepost.co.nz. The Post. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ "Rachel House". Arts Foundation. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ "Full Length Trailer for 'The Mountain' Released". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ Screen, NZ On. "Rachel House | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ "Rachel House". Big Screen Symposium. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Christian, Dionne (11 June 2016). "Hunt for the Wilderpeople's Rachel House on her new project" (in en-NZ). New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ "Term Two Begins at Hartley High as 'Heartbreak High' Season 2 Premieres April 11 on Netflix". 29 January 2024.
- ^ McManus, Bridget (2023-07-14). "'I would call me a wanker': Meet the Kiwi stealing the shows". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Knox, David (2024-07-11). "Production begins on new Stan comedy-drama Sunny Nights | TV Tonight". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ "This is Medea, But Not as We Know It". Scoop News. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ "Disney to produce te reo Māori versions of The Lion King, Frozen" (in en-NZ). The New Zealand Herald. 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ "Production Completed On Rachel House's Debut Feature The Mountain". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Screen, NZ On. "The Mountain | Film | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ "Theatre Aotearoa". tadb.otago.ac.nz. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
- ^ "WIFT NZ Mana Wahine Awards for 2016". www.wiftnz.org.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2017". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Rachel House and Professor Derek Lardelli joint winners of Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ “Boy (2010) - Full Cast & Crew”. IMDb. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Cradle at IMDb Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Rudkin, Francesca (2019-11-07). "New rural dramedy Bellbird, a 'Joy to Watch' [Film Review]". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2023-11-30.
- ^ "Clever" 'Jojo Rabbit' Deleted Scene Detailed by Rachel House
- ^ “Rhys Darby: Mystic Time Bird (2021).” Letterboxd.com. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ "Millie Lies Low". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "The Moon is Upside Down". New Zealand Film Commission. Archived 17 May 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Coco Reo Māori" (in en-NZ). Matewa Media. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (2025-02-27). "New Minecraft Movie Trailer Reveals Its Villain, Free In-Game Jetpack Coming For Some Ticket Buyers". GameSpot. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
- ^ Betti, Tony (October 27, 2025). "Guess Who: Disney Legends and Classic Character Voices to Appear in Cameo Roles in Upcoming "Zootopia 2"". www.laughingplace.com. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (2026-05-12). "Ayo Adebiri, Bradley Cooper, Werner Herzog Join Bong Joon Ho's Ally". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
- ^ "Global hit Apple Original series "Foundation" unveils new cast and first look at season two". Apple TV+ Press. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- ^ Vickers-Green, Laura (2023-10-05). "Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Cast: Meet The New Characters". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ "Full Cast of Vox Machina Season 3 & Characters Guide: Every Actor & Who They Voice (Photos)". The Direct. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "The Vagina Monologues | Scoop News"
External links
- Rachel House at IMDb
- "Rachel House", The Arts Foundation. Retrieved 22 June 2013.