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RachelHouse

Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga
  • Actor
Rachel-House-key-image.jpg

Toi Whakaari acting graduate Rachel House, ONZM, won her first theatre award in 1998, around the time she debuted on screen in short film Queenie and Pete. Since then she has shown her gift for comedy and drama in The Life and Times of Te TutuWhale Rider, and White Lies — and won new fans as a hilariously driven welfare officer in Hunt for the Wilderpeople. In 2021, she co-starred in both Cousins and Penguin Bloom. She has also worked extensively as a voice actor in Hollywood including major roles in films Moana and Soul and directed for the theatre. Her directorial debut in feature film is coming-of-age tale The Mountain (2024).

Screenography

A Minecraft Movie
2025 As: Voice of Malgosha Film
2024 Writer, Director Film
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
2024 As: Hampton Film
2023 As: Tuffy Film
Next Goal Wins
2023 Actor, As: Ruth Film

Awards

2017 Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit
For services to the performing arts 

2017 Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards (The Moas)
Nominated for Best Actress: for Hunt for the Wilderpeople

“I was told I’d never make it as an actor . . . some kind of counsellor or teacher said, 'you probably wouldn’t make it as an actor' then I started doing quite well in acting and had people tell me I couldn’t do screen . . . But these moments are great. It’s saying you’re not capable enough, and that’s where you really have to ask yourself, 'Am I capable enough?' And generally speaking the answer is yes.”

Rachel House, in an interview for website The Spinoff, 27 October 2017

Related images

Maddigan_s_Quest_Gallery_Cast.jpg
The main cast of Maddigan's Quest, from left to right: Hori Ahipene, Mark Nua, Rachel House, Rose McIver, Olivia Tennet, Tim Balme, Danielle Cormack and Rawiri Pene
©South Pacific Pictures
Maddigan_s_Quest_Gallery_Farewell.jpg
The main cast of Maddigan's Quest, from left to right: Danielle Cormack, Olivia Tennet, Mark Nua, Tim Balme, Hori Ahipene and Rachel House.
©South Pacific Pictures