The 23-year-old, born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, is an infrequent user of social media but took to Instagram on Thursday to ask her fellow Kiwis to vote.

"Hey. Are u from New Zealand? I am.", the Instastory began.

"If you're 18+ it's time to VOTE!

"We know we live in a special place. And adding all of our voices to the conversation, speaking up for communities or organisations that mean something to us- that's what helps keep it that way.

Lorde, who has not released new music in three years, then hinted at the promise of a third album.

"Do it for our beautiful country and me. And next year I'll give you something special in return."

Lorde didn't offer Kiwis her political preferences, but last year she and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern were spied having a private dinner in Auckland's trendy Britomart precinct.

The Kiwi artist has the country's most popular Instagram account, with 6.6 million followers.

Best known for her breakout debut single Royals, Lorde has released two critically acclaimed albums to date.

Aged just 16 she released Pure Heroine in 2013, before her sophomore 2017 album Melodrama was reviewed as one of the decade's best pop albums.

In November, she wrote a note to her millions of fans asking for patience as her third album had been delayed due to the death of her dog, Pearl, who "brought an immeasurable amount of joy and purpose into my world".

Labour leader Ms Ardern is a hot favourite to win a second term in the October 17 poll.

Australian Associated Press