McCully accuses Kiwi Games chief

New Zealand's Sports Minister has told the Kiwi in charge of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi that he must take some of the blame for the event's problems, as Indians burned his effigy in the street.

Murray McCully said there had been too much finger-pointing at Indian officials, and some of the blame lay with Games Federation chief executive Michael Hooper.

Protesters from the hardline Hindu group Rashtrawadi Sena burned an effigy of Mr Hooper in front of the federation's offices in the Indian capital.

They held signs saying, "Shame on Micheal [sic] Hooper", "Indian people will not tolerate the nonesense [sic] and stupid people like Hooper" and "Hooper insulted our nation. Hooper go back".

It was widely reported in India that Mr Hooper had said Delhi's "population hazard" hampered the organisation of the Games.

But federation president Mike Fennell denied that the remark was made.

Mr Hooper has also made headlines this week for his allegedly plush lifestyle, paid for by Indian taxpayers via the Games organising committee.

Reports say he has been given income tax breaks worth $600,000, a rental property worth more than $36,000 a month, a chauffeured limousine and a six-person staff at his property.

Mr Hooper has been at the centre of a blame game over shoddy conditions at the athletes' village that threatened to derail the Games.

He has defended the federation, saying it had implored Indian officials at every opportunity to be ready for the event.

But Mr McCully said Mr Hooper was partly to blame. He said the federation had some serious questions to answer.

"So we should be careful about simply asserting that Indian officials carry all the responsibility.

"He's been based there to oversee those arrangements. I certainly think there's going to be a sharing of responsibility, but this is not the time. Let's let them do their jobs and leave the serious questions for afterwards. But they should be asked."

Mr McCully, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Indian pride had been hurt by revelations of poor accommodation for athletes, but the damage could be repaired if the Games, which start on Sunday, ran smoothly.

"I've got no doubt there were some raw nerves touched, but serious issues of safety and welfare were arising."

He said he was confident about security in New Delhi, but anyone going there should check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs safe-travel advisory (www.mfat.govt.nz).

"There are always some elements of risk in relation to terrorist activities, but we don't have any specific information that should be drawn to people's attention at this point."

Mr McCully was dubious about reports warning New Zealand supporters not to draw attention to themselves in case it made them a terrorist target.

"This [came from] an Australian journalist looking to get a headline ... but I think it probably painted in a starker form than was necessary the need for people to be reasonably discreet and not overly draw attention to themselves."