---
name: "Rachel House"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/rachel-house"
fi1m_id: "rachel-house"
imdb_id: "nm1344302"
tmdb_id: 15298
wikidata_id: "Q16213557"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "20 October 1971"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 63
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-22T02:30:10.518501+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Rachel House

## Identity

Rachel House

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rachel-house
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** rachel-house
- **IMDb ID:** nm1344302
- **TMDB ID:** 15298
- **Wikidata ID:** Q16213557
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_House, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16213557, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1344302/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15298

Actor. Born 20 October 1971 in Auckland, New Zealand.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 20 October 1971, Auckland, New Zealand
- **Active:** 2016–present
- **Also known as:** Rachel Jessica Te Ao Maarama House
- **Frequently works with:** [Taika Waititi](https://film.one/person/taika-waititi.md), [Auliʻi Cravalho](https://film.one/person/aulii-cravalho.md), [David Fane](https://film.one/person/david-fane.md), [Dwayne Johnson](https://film.one/person/dwayne-johnson.md), [Garrett Basch](https://film.one/person/garrett-basch.md), [Iain Morris](https://film.one/person/iain-morris.md), [Jared Bush](https://film.one/person/jared-bush.md), [Jemaine Clement](https://film.one/person/jemaine-clement.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 63, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2010s 79 (3), 2020s 58 (9)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 63 to 63 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 8, Adventure 7, Family 6, Animation 5, Drama 4, Fantasy 3
- **Screen time:** 18 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $6,170m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_House, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16213557, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1344302/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15298

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Moana*](https://film.one/film/moana.md) (82), [*Soul*](https://film.one/film/soul.md) (80), [*Thor: Ragnarok*](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md) (74), [*Moana 2*](https://film.one/film/moana-2.md) (55), [*Next Goal Wins*](https://film.one/film/next-goal-wins.md) (50)
- **Apple TV:** [*Time Bandits*](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md) (62), [*Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire*](https://film.one/film/godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire.md) (57)
- **Peacock:** [*Hunt for the Wilderpeople*](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Rachel House

> Rachel House makes a supporting character sound like the only adult present. We value her dry humour and firm authority, though the larger films employing her have not always given us much else to recommend.

Rachel House sounds as though she has heard the excuse before. As Ruth in Taika Waititi’s *Next Goal Wins* (2023), she makes being unimpressed funny without becoming contemptuous. We laughed at Ruth’s weary certainty because she has heard it all before and sees no reason to disguise that. House belongs to the supporting company that gives the film its warmth, while Michael Fassbender’s coach gets too much of its attention. We wanted more time with those people.

Her first feature was *Whale Rider* (2002), in which she played Shilo. The recurring collaboration with Waititi then made good use of her no-nonsense humour, notably as persistent welfare officer Paula Hall in *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016). Her authority is useful to a comedy: she can sound certain of herself without requiring us to agree with her. Voicing Gramma Tala in *Moana* (2016) brought international recognition and established another line of work in family animation.

*Moana 2* (2024) returns her to Tala, but the film is handsome and thin, with songs that disappear almost as soon as they finish. We would not recommend it merely for a familiar voice. Nor does her casting as Hampton make *Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire* (2024) a useful introduction to her work. That film is more enjoyable when the humans stop explaining the plot and leave the apes alone.

The *Minecraft* film (2025) gives her Malgosha, the voice presiding over the Nether. Grant Major’s production design and Enrique Chediak’s bright, even lighting make this a tiring place to spend time, all hot pink and orange. Jared Hess gets some peculiar humour into the film, but there is too much shouting for us to recommend the visit. A capable supporting actor cannot compensate for everything happening around her.

Her feature directing debut, *The Mountain* (2024), gives us another part of her work to follow. It also makes us curious about what she might do with more space in front of the camera, after so many supporting assignments. We would welcome a film that gave her more of the conversation.

## Biography

Rachel House is a New Zealand actress and director. Born in Auckland on 20 October 1971, she trained at Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1992. She began her career in stage work with the Pacific Underground Theatre and the Auckland Theatre Company.

House is known for roles in films directed by Taika Waititi, including *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016) and *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017). Her voice credits include Gramma Tala in *Moana* (2016) and *Moana 2* (2024), Terry in *Soul* (2020), and Malgosha in *A Minecraft Movie* (2025). Live-action roles include Hampton in *Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire* (2024) and Ruth in *Next Goal Wins* (2023). She has also directed films.

House received the New Zealand Order of Merit and other honours including an Arts Laureate award for her work as an actor and director.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

- *Klara and the Sun* (2026), Fi1m 34, as Melania — [page](https://film.one/film/klara-and-the-sun.md)
- *A Minecraft Movie* (2025), Fi1m 52, as Malgosha (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/a-minecraft-movie.md)
- *Zootopia 2* (2025), Fi1m 70, as Gramma Taller (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/zootopia-2.md)
- *Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire* (2024), Fi1m 57, as Hampton — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire.md)
- *Moana 2* (2024), Fi1m 55, as Gramma Tala (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/moana-2.md)
- *Time Bandits* (2024), Fi1m 62, as Fianna — [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)
- *Next Goal Wins* (2023), Fi1m 50, as Ruth — [page](https://film.one/film/next-goal-wins.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), Fi1m 63, as Topaz (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Soul* (2020), Fi1m 80, as Terry (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/soul.md)
- *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Topaz — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md)
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), Fi1m 82, as Paula — [page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)
- *Moana* (2016), Fi1m 82, as Gramma Tala (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/moana.md)

## Complete filmography (58)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Klara and the Sun* (2026), as Melania — Fi1m 34, [page](https://film.one/film/klara-and-the-sun.md)
- *Sunny Nights* (2025), series, as Mony
- *Zootopia 2* (2025), as Gramma Taller (voice) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/zootopia-2.md)
- *Kangaroo* (2025), as Jesse
- *A Minecraft Movie* (2025), as Malgosha (voice) — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/a-minecraft-movie.md)
- *Moana 2* (2024), as Gramma Tala (voice) — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/moana-2.md)
- *Time Bandits* (2024), series, as Fianna — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)
- *The Moon Is Upside Down* (2024), as Tuffy
- *The Mountain* (2024), Director, Writer
- *Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire* (2024), as Hampton — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire.md)
- *Next Goal Wins* (2023), as Ruth — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/next-goal-wins.md)
- *Bay of Fires* (2023), series, as Airini
- *The Portable Door* (2023), as Professor Nienke Van Spee
- *Kiff* (2023), series, as Mary Buns (voice)
- *Tales from the Apocalypse* (2022), as System (voice)
- *Millie Lies Low* (2022), as Marlene
- *Heartbreak High* (2022), series, as Woodsy
- *Pinecone & Pony* (2022), series, as Gladys (voice)
- *Our Flag Means Death* (2022), series, as Mary Read
- *The Legend of Vox Machina* (2022), series, as Dohla (voice)
- *Back to the Outback* (2021), as Jacinta (voice)
- *Cowboy Bebop* (2021), series, as Mao
- *Rhys Darby: Mystic Time Bird* (2021), as Voice of The Shaman
- *Foundation* (2021), series, as Tellem Bond — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/tv/foundation.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), series, as Topaz (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Creamerie* (2021), series, as Doc Harvey
- *Cousins* (2021), as Older Missy
- *Penguin Bloom* (2021), as Gaye Hatfield
- *Soul* (2020), as Terry (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/soul.md)
- *Baby Done* (2020), as Principal Mullins
- *Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt)* (2020), as Patty
- *SIS* (2020), series, as Moana Thompson, Moana
- *Stateless* (2020), series, as Harriet
- *Bellbird* (2019), as Connie
- *Sherwood* (2019), series, as Tui
- *Team Darryl* (2018), as Topaz
- *The New Legends of Monkey* (2018), series, as Monica
- *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), as Topaz — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md)
- *Moana* (2016), as Gramma Tala (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/moana.md)
- *Cradle* (2016), as System (voice)
- *Wrecked* (2016), series, as Martha
- *Wolf Creek* (2016), series, as Ruth
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), as Paula — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)
- *Find Me a Māori Bride* (2015), series, Actor
- *The Dark Horse* (2014), as Vagrant Woman
- *Hope and Wire* (2014), series, as Joycie Waru
- *White Lies* (2013), as Maraea
- *Aroha Bridge* (2013), series, as Whaea Bubbles (voice)
- *The Blue Rose* (2013), series, as Tina
- *Super City* (2011), series, Actor
- *The Winter Boy* (2010), Director
- *Boy* (2010), as Aunty Gracey
- *Perfect Creature* (2007), as Forensic Woman
- *Eagle vs Shark* (2007), as Nancy
- *Maddigan's Quest* (2006), series, Actor
- *Fracture* (2004), as Taxi Driver
- *Whale Rider* (2003), as Shilo
- *Ally*, as (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Rachel House, after her investiture as ONZM, for services to the performing arts, at Government House, Wellington, on 31 August 2017](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-01fd83c515cd.jpg) Rachel House, after her investiture as ONZM, for services to the performing arts, at Government House, Wellington, on 31 August 2017 — Government House, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Rachel_House_ONZM_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Rachel House](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-cfd677889d86.jpg) Rachel House — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Rachel_House_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Rachel_House_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-abc19ba61363.jpg) Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Rachel_House_%2835437503693%29.jpg/1280px-Rachel_House_%2835437503693%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-1152c031b2a8.jpg) Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Rachel_House_%2836243152135%29.jpg/1280px-Rachel_House_%2836243152135%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rachel House](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-67aa2f808f06.jpg) Rachel House — Image via TMDB
- ![Rachel House](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-f47b90d4c6ba.jpg) Rachel House — Image via TMDB
- ![Rachel House](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-9fd1b75753b5.jpg) Rachel House — Image via TMDB
- ![Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-d85479aadd8b.jpg) Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Rachel_House_%2835409303574%29.jpg/1280px-Rachel_House_%2835409303574%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-be7bce57a25c.jpg) Rachel House speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Thor: Ragnarok", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please a — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Rachel_House_%2835437505533%29.jpg/1280px-Rachel_House_%2835437505533%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rachel House](https://film.one/media/person/8620/gallery-6f05b45f3543.jpg) Rachel House — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 5 won

- Best Director Award 2012: Best Director Award (won)
- Female Actor in a Supporting Role 2003: Female Actor in a Supporting Role (won)
- Best Director Award 2001: Best Director Award (won)
- Outstanding Performance 2000: Outstanding Performance (won)
- Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year 1995: Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/rachel-house