What is te fiti?

Te Fiti: The Island Goddess

Te Fiti is a powerful and benevolent island goddess in the Disney animated film Moana. She is the source of all life, possessing a magical heart (a pounamu stone) that she uses to create islands and sustain the world.

Her Story

Before the events of the film, the demigod Maui steals Te Fiti's heart, seeking to give the power of creation to humanity. This act causes Te Fiti to crumble, transforming into the fiery demon Te Ka, a destructive force of lava and darkness that plagues the ocean. The theft also causes a blight that slowly kills the life on the islands.

Moana's Quest

Moana, chosen by the ocean, embarks on a quest to restore Te Fiti's heart and save her people. After battling Te Ka, Moana realizes that Te Ka is Te Fiti, driven mad by the loss of her heart.

Restoration and Significance

By returning the heart to its rightful place, Moana restores Te Fiti to her former glory, healing the land and sea. Te Fiti then recreates the islands that were destroyed by the blight and bestows her blessing upon Moana. She represents the life-giving force of nature, the importance of balance, and the consequences of greed and disrespect for the natural world. Her story highlights themes of identity, restoration, and environmentalism.