I disagree with you to an extent their, he is in the team primarily as a spinner (well probably as an all-rounder) and the spinners job is to get wickets. Unfortunately he does not do that when he needs to these days.
He never has done... he's not that type of bowler given he doesn't turn it much, and we're never going to get a finger spinner coming out of NZ who is that type of bowler (nor from most other parts of the world) because of the decks.
How many ortho spinners who aren't freaks (ie: not Murali) can you name that do regularly run thru sides over the last twenty years?... maybe the Turbanator a few years back... one or two others but not consistently over several years by any stretch; and not compared to a wristy or Murali as you simply don't get the turning tracks as often these days because pitches are better and runs are scored quicker (making spinners potentially expensive) and hence why Dan has been as successful as he has - he can bowl long spells, be economical and usually picks up a wicket or two... on the odd occasion a few more.
The man, in our time and in our team has done brilliantly - as a spinner, and bowler. Who else would we have picked over the last 12-13 years instead of him?...
I never suggested picking someone ahead of him, my original point was that someone had written the article that said Vettori wasn't taking the wickets when his team needed.
Agree completely re spinners in New Zealand, it can't be an easy life. About your point on off-spinners(well it was about Ortho bowlers but the point still stand), read an article a couple of weeks ago on Cricinfo about the return of the off-spinner, Swann, Hauritz and Paul Harris from South Africa have all had very good last 18 months. Those guys have started taking wickets again.
Vettori before his injuries was a bigger turner of the ball and now doesn't impart that much on it. People also talked about the pressure at the other end, wouldn't it have been wonderful to see Bond and Vettori as a partnership develop. We can dream I guess....