Rachel House

Toi Whakaari acting graduate Rachel House, ONZM, won her first theatre award in 1998, around the time she debuted on screen as co-star of short film Queenie and Pete. Since then she has shown her gift for comedy and drama in The Life and Times of Te Tutu, Whale Rider, and White Lies — and won new fans as a child welfare officer on a mission, in Hunt for the Wilderpeople. She was the voice of Moana's eccentric grandma in Disney hit Moana, and has been a panellist on Ask Your Auntie. House has also directed often for the stage: in 2012 she helmed a te reo version of Troilus and Cressida, at London's Globe Theatre.

A standing ovation in the packed 'standing-room-only' Te Papa marae confirmed the success of this brave and challenging enterprise. John Smythe, reviewing Rachel House-directed play The Maori Troilus and Cressida (Toroihi raua ko Kahira) – 10 March 2012