Moana

Moana follows the adventures of a young Polynesian princess and navigator who is accompanied by the superhero-demigod Maui, but in the run-up to the film's premiere reaction has been divided between those who have praised its cultural inclusiveness and others who feared the potential for cultural appropriation.

RNZ reports Australian based band Te Vaka was approached by Disney to help write the soundtrack and its bandleader Opetaia Foa'i said despite the controversy, the filmmakers spent years researching to get the film right.

A children's toy shop Patini, located in Vision City is the first to sell a Moana sweater, a Moana doll and the Moana costume itself.

Patini brought its first and only supply early last month and has already sold off the doll, leaving only the sweater, (K188.80 ) and costume (K430) of Moana, which is a Samoan traditional dress including sandals.

Moana is Disney's first Polynesian princess who teams up with a demi-god Maui to make an ocean voyage in the South Pacific and save her people.

The costume, a full-body suit with brown skin, traditional tattoos, grass skirt and bone necklace, represents the character Maui, considered a demi-god and ancestor by many Polynesians.

Activists said it was "brownface", or mocking of the culture by creating stereotypes.

Disney said it regretted any offence.