Rihanna compares Auckland paparazzi to Nazis

Rihanna performing at Vector Arena. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Pop star Rihanna has compared Auckland paparazzi to Nazis in an online post, drawing criticism over her choice of metaphor.

The 25-year-old singer from Barbados played three shows in Auckland this week as part of her Diamonds World Tour.

She posted a paparazzi photo of her standing in her Auckland hotel room window wrapped in a blanket - taken by Kiwi photographer Simon Runting - to her Instagram on Wednesday morning with the caption: "I hate these niggaz more than the Nazi".

The caption - lyrics from a Kanye West song - received a mixed reaction from fans, including one who tweeted: "Seriously Rihanna? someone taking your picture and your privacy is NOT even comparable to a Nazi."

Another wrote: "Rihanna if you can even tell me anything irrelevant to the Nazi party and what happened in world war two, i will accept your Nazi instagram"

Others supported the singer, saying she's entitled to privacy regardless of her fame.

Universal Music NZ declined to comment on the photo.

The singer was booed in Adelaide when she appeared on stage 80 minutes late, and critics suggested she was drunk during her Perth performance.

In Australia, Rihanna was 40 minutes late for her first show, in Perth, nearly an hour and a half late in Adelaide and 20 minutes in Sydney.

She was 45 minutes late for her first Auckland show, but was praised for her performance.

Herald reviewer Chris Schulz said her show was "one debauched pop party you don't want to miss".

After New Zealand, Rihanna heads to South Africa and the Middle East before ending her nine-month tour in the US.

Image 1 of 7: Rihanna performed at Vector Arena in Auckland. Photo / Sarah Ivey

- AAP