Fekitoa's groin injury has not recovered sufficiently for coach Jamie Joseph to be confident the game-breaker can last the distance at Eden Park.
In his absence, Richard Buckman moves to centre and Shaun Treeby marks his 50th appearance for the Highlanders with a start at second five-eighth.
The Highlanders are bolstered by the return of All Black backs Aaron Smith and Ben Smith, and winger Patrick Osborne also returns, helping alleviate the loss of Fekitoa.
In the forwards, there is a completely different front row.
Unheralded prop Daniel Lienert-Brown earns his first start of the season next to Liam Coltman and Josh Hohneck.
The locking crisis leads to Joe Latta also earning his first start, while Dan Pryor returns at No 8, Elliot Dixon switches to the blindside, and Gareth Evans goes to the bench.
A new face on the bench is young Otago lock Jackson Hemopo.
Highlanders: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Alex Ainley, Joe Latta, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Dan Pryor, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Patrick Osborne, Shaun Treeby, Richard Buckman, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith ( c ). Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Ross Geldenhuys,
Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Kurt Baker.
