Rachel House, who was born on 20 October 1971, is a renowned actress and filmmaker from New Zealand. She is best known for her roles in the films of Taika Waititi. She has earned many prestigious honors, such as the Arts Laureate, NZ Order of Merit, 'Mana Wahine' award from WIFT NZ, and Te Waipuna a Rangi (Matariki Awards) recognizing her contributions as both an actor and director. Early life House was born in Auckland on 20 October 1971 and was brought 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. She focused on stage performances 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. She first appeared on screen in the 1998 short film Queenie and Pete. In 2002, she was featured in the award-winning feature film Whale Rider. In 2005, she became a series regular on Maddigan's Quest alongside a young Rose McIver. She took part in Taika Waititi's debut feature film, Eagle vs Shark, in 2008. {She continues to collaborate frequently 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),