Lorde has given her first performance in New Zealand since her double Grammy success - this time on Auckland's waterfront before a crowd of thousands.
Lorde thanked the crowd, saying Auckland is where it all began. Photo: GETTY
The open air concert at Silo Park began half an hour late at 9.30pm on Wednesday, just hours after the singer-songwriter flew in from Los Angeles where she attended the America's premier music awards.
Lorde, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, won the Grammy for Song of the Year and Best Solo Pop Performance on Sunday, but quickly returned home to give a special concert after having to pull out of the Laneway Festival earlier in the week.
Before singing her worldwide hit Royals, the 17-year-old told the crowd this was the song that won her the awards and it all started in Auckland. She then thanked the crowd for their support.
Many fans had free tickets after paying to see her perform at the Laneway gig. Others who had not earlier booked paid $69 for a ticket.
Lorde's arrival at the airport on Wednesday morning was low-key, but Air New Zealand staff performed a haka on the tarmac. She posed for photos with some fans and told reporters she was unsure how her life would change after her success.
Fans dressed for the occasion. Photo: GETTY
The singer had tweeted criticism of the media and their intense attention when she and her family arrived at the airport. She wrote that the media almost pushed her over trying to get shots and labelled it a bit of a sad welcome home.
Lorde added what she called the lecherous gaze of the media was different from the attention from her fans - which she loves.
Lorde has since deleted the messages and said she didn't intend on doing interviews on Wednesday night. She will next travel to Sydney to perform at its Laneway Festival.
Air New Zealand staff perform a haka on the tarmac to welcome Lorde home. Photo: AIR NEW ZEALAND
