Lorde is seeking legal advice about whether to lay a police complaint about a photographer.
She tweeted overnight that she is scared of Simon Runting, who she accuses of stalking and photographing her in Auckland.
Simon Runting. Photo: Twitter / @lordemusic
Lorde, 17, said that while she understands the attention comes with the territory of being famous, she refuses to stay passive about men systematically subjecting her to extreme fear.
Mr Runting is a freelance photographer, known for photographing Mike Hosking's children without consent.
Lorde's manager, Scott MacLachlan, said a complaint has not been made to the police, but that is being discussed with a lawyer.
He said New Zealand represents home to the singer songwriter and if she doesn't feel safe, he fears she may move elsewhere.
Mr Runting has not yet been available to comment.
A lawyer who represented a local woman's magazine over paparazzi photos said Lorde would have to provide a lot of evidence if she wanted to accuse Mr Runting.
Julian Miles QC represented Mr Runting and the magazine New Idea 10 years ago when children of the TV personality, Mike Hosking, were photographed without consent.
Mr Miles said it would be difficult for Lorde to make a case of stalking.
"They would need evidence that Runting's actions have amounted to more than just taking the odd photo," he said.
"They should actually have to give evidence of the number of times that he's been present - that he is outside her house constantly or communicates with her friends to try to find out where she might be."