Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House ONZM, (born 20 October 1971), is a New Zealand actress and director. She gained fame for her performances in Taika Waititi's films. She is the recipient of various awards, such as the Arts Laureate, NZ Order of Merit, 'Mana Wahine' award from WIFT NZ, and Te Waipuna a Rangi (Matariki Awards) for her remarkable work in acting and directing. Early life House was born in Auckland on 20 October 1971 and grew up in Kamo, Whangārei by her adoptive Scottish parents, John and Sheila House. She has Māori iwi (tribal) connections to Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa, and Ngāi Tahu. Career Acting {House studied at Toi Whakaari, the New Zealand national drama school, and graduated in 1992. Her early stage work included collaborations with the Pacific Underground Theatre and Auckland Theatre Company. Her acting portfolio includes major productions that have toured both locally 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. She first appeared on screen in the 1998 short film Queenie and Pete. She played a role in Whale Rider, an award-winning film, in 2002. where she starred with a young Rose McIver. In 2008, House was featured 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 coaching for the young actors on set|with roles in his second film, Boy (2010),