Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House ONZM is a New Zealand actress and director. She is best known for her roles in the films Whale Rider (2002), Boy (2010), White Lies (2013), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), Moana (2016), and Soul (2020). She is a series regular on TV in the 2022 reboot of Heartbreak High as Principal Stacy "Woodsy" Woods and is a recurring character in the New Zealand Dark comedy-drama Creamerie as Doc Harvey. She is also a regular fixture of New Zealand theatre.
Early life
House was born in Auckland and raised in Kamo, Whangarei by her adoptive Scottish parents John and Sheila House. She is of Māori (Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāi Tahu) and European descent.
Career
Acting
House attended the New Zealand national drama school, Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1992. She went into stage work with the Pacific Underground Theatre and the Auckland Theatre Company.
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.
House's film work has included roles in Whale Rider, Eagle vs Shark, Boy, and White Lies. Her television appearances include Maddigan's Quest and Gaylene Preston's series Hope and Wire. Jason Buchanan of the Rovi corporation wrote: "While she may not necessarily possess traditional Hollywood good looks, House has an undeniably distinct persona onscreen and exhibits just the kind of charisma that could prove the foundation for an enduring career."
In 2016, House appeared in Taika Waititi's feature film Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It became the top grossing New Zealand film of all time at the New Zealand box office.
House voiced Gramma Tala in the 2016 Disney animated film Moana. In 2017, she played Grandmaster's bodyguard Topaz in Thor: Ragnarok. 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.
House is a frequent collaborator of director Taika Waititi, appearing in his films Eagle vs Shark, Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok, and serving as acting coach for the young actors on Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Jojo Rabbit. She was also an acting coach for Everything We Loved, The Dark Horse, The Rehearsal and the second season of the series Top of the Lake.
