I'd go to Delhi - John Key

Prime Minister John Key. Photo / Mark Mitchell

He's been known to clock a few kilometres on the treadmill but if Prime Minister John Key was a world class athlete he'd be lining up to go to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next week.

Mr Key received an update on the security in Delhi overnight and said the decision on whether to send the New Zealand team was a work in progress.

Asked if he would go given the chance he said he would, based on the information he currently has.

"Yeah, if I could pick my own sport, yeah I would go," he told NZPA.

However, he said he was not in the best position to assess the situation.

The New Zealand team's chef de mission Dave Currie and New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley were the ones to make the decision, Mr Key said.

They were in regular contact with their counterparts in other countries.

"It's very unlikely that New Zealand would pull out on its own. If we are likely to not send our team then it'll be because a large number of like-minded countries form the same view."

Mr Key said that was because the athletes put in so much time, energy and effort trying to get to the Commonwealth Games.

"It's heart-breaking for them if they can't go."

He said everyone very much wanted to go but it would come down to being able to ensure their security, safety and hygienic living conditions.

"Obviously the Olympic Committee feels that they need a bit more time before they can make a final call on that."

Cyclist Greg Henderson pulled out of the Games today, citing health and security fears.

"It's not all about Greg Henderson, I've got a family now," he told NZPA.

"I have to put them first and I don't feel 100 per cent sure about the environment over there. I look at it and think would I like (wife) Katie or (one-year-old son) Charlie competing over there and the answer is obviously no. I've got to put myself in their shoes and weight up if it's worth that much.

"Anything could happen over there. Is my career, is cycling, worth it?"

- NZPA