Rachel House made an Officer of NZ Order of Merit

Rachel House, actor, director, and Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Photo/Michael Craig

A woman who grew up in Whangarei and went to Kamo High School - where an "obvious" lack of talent for sport steered her toward dance and acting - has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Rachel House is the adopted daughter of former Whangarei identities, Sheila and the late John House. She is of Ngati Mutunga, Ngai Tahu and Pakeha descent.

Ms House attended the New Zealand national drama school, Toi Whakaari, graduating in 1992.

With major parts in iconic New Zealand movies Whale Rider, Eagle Vs Shark, Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, her name and face are familiar to movie-goers. She has also appeared on the smaller screen in many television shows.

Audiences have also been transfixed by Ms House's memorable stage performances.

She received early acclaim in her career with her performance in Briar Grace-Smith's one-woman play Nga Pou Wahine. Between 1994 and 2003 House performed in more than 25 theatre productions, including the lead role in Witi Ihamaera's play Woman Far Walking.

Ms House has experience in radio production and as a voice artist, most recently voicing Gramma Tala in the Disney animated film Moana.

While she is an acting force to be reckoned with, she has played equally stunning roles behind the scenes.

She is an award-winning director who over the past 15 years has staged theatrical productions in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and toured productions to Canada and Australia.

After studying at the Prague Film School, Ms House directed the New Zealand short film The Winter Boy (2010).

She has been instrumental in bringing Māori and Pacific culture to a wide international audience. In 2012 she directed the Te Reo Māori production of Troilus and Cressida at the Globe Theatre in London.

In 2012 Ms House was a recipient of a Laureate Award at the Macquarie Private Wealth New Zealand Arts Awards in Auckland.