Dr Cullen should be trying to understand the difficulties faced by New Zealand families and businesses instead of mocking them, National Finance spokesperson Bill English said today.

"His wisecrack about New Zealanders suffering 'post-election traumatic stress disorder' is a typical Cullen attempt to trivialise a real issue.

"Many New Zealanders are having trouble making ends meet, and Dr Cullen should acknowledge that. Instead he's trying to dismiss their worries as a figment of their imagination.

"The National Bank's regional trends survey out today shows the worst quarterly result since the Asian crisis in 1998.

"Economic activity was down in 11 regions, flat in one region and up in just two.

"Put simply, that means most New Zealanders are finding the going tough, and an increasing squeeze on business margins.

"We're looking at the prospect of fewer jobs, less investment and tighter family budgets.

"I would have thought Dr Cullen might have shown some concern about that, rather than dismiss it with another of his one-liners," Mr English said.

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