Rachel Margaret Esson (born 1965) is the National Librarian Te Pouhuaki of New Zealand.

[1][2] She spent much of her childhood in Palmerston North, where her father was a scientist studying cicadas at nearby research stations.

[1] In 2013, she returned to the Alexander Turnbull Library, taking on a role as the Assistant Chief Librarian Research Collections.

[6] On 17 December 2020, Esson became New Zealand's National Librarian, following the retirement of Bill Macnaught.

[5] In her role as the National Librarian, she holds the Māori title Te Pouhuaki.