Aroha

TANIWHA's lore: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/aoKReX
The Aroha is an ability common to all Taniwha, allowing them to shate-shift into a human form. It's innate but requires two main conditions to be awakened and mastered: empathy and energy. The appearance of the transformed Taniwha is defined by its personality. It has the drawback of breaking the solidity of its body and making it more vulnerable, besides still depending on the same needs. A transformed Taniwha amongs humans aware of it is a great proof of trust.