Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Protesters opposing the Vancouver Olympics are expected to demonstrate this week but will pose no threat to the Games, organisers say.

Games deputy CEO Dave Cobb says they expects protests but initial estimates of demonstrations were larger than were now expected.

The Olympics have become a rallying point for a range of social groups planning their own gathering in Vancouver to protest against what they say is corporate greed and injustice the Olympic movement has come to symbolise.

Opponents in Vancouver lost a referendum over the Games in 2003 when the city was still bidding for them with local critics saying the money spent on the Games would have been better spent resolving social problems such as poverty and homelessness.

There are also claims the event is being partly held on land that belongs to Canada's aboriginal people.