Watching the election the other night, I was disappointed to see 46 per cent of those who voted chose to back National, a party that has, in nine years, single-handedly created crises in housing, education and healthcare.

I remember former Prime Minister John Key trumpeting often on television that more and more Kiwis were returning home from Australia, such was our economic prosperity compared to our neighbour's across the ditch. And yet, he didn't think to turn off the immigration tap from other parts of the world; nor did he and his party think ahead and build houses, hospitals, or schools for these returning New Zealanders.

Now John is Sir John, gone to advise an American company on how best to do business in China. He's good with the Chinese, Sir John – he just sold his multimillion dollar Parnell mansion to a Chinese buyer.

Meanwhile, Waikato Hospital is full, and five-year-olds are starting school in classes of 30-plus kids. The average house price in Auckland is still a million dollars, and it's starting to get that way in Tauranga too.

But at least we might get a tax cut. What's the ruination of a country, compared to an extra $20 a week in the wallet?

W Kovacs, Mount Maunganui.