The mother of a King's College pupil - spurred by the death of another pupil, 16-year-old James Webster - has written to fellow school parent John Key to demand action from the Government over New Zealand's youth drinking culture.
"Today my son [like yours] dresses in formal uniform to go to school and remember another student who has died this year," Dr Margaret Abercrombie wrote to Mr Key yesterday.
"Right now, you and your colleagues can act to reduce the chances of this and other alcohol-related tragedies happening."
Her comments follow the death of James, who died in his sleep at the weekend after drinking at a party.
Mr Key's son Max attends King's College.
Dr Abercrombie told the Herald she had a teenage son at King's College and was aware of the pressures he faced at school.
"His mates drink and he's 13. They drink seven shots in half an hour of neat vodka.
"And they drink until they vomit, and that actually probably saves their lives sometimes.
"The culture has changed a lot in the last 10 years.
And the way younger women approach alcohol has changed significantly, and it's really noticeable in my daily practice, that young women are more assertive and proud about getting [drunk]."
The Government is considering a report from the Law Commission on alcohol issues which includes more than 150 recommendations on how to reduce the harm from excessive drinking.
The report noted the harm alcohol caused among youths, including increasing trends among 15- to 17-year-olds to drink more and to start drinking at a younger age.
Police say the lowering of the purchase age for alcohol in 1999 contributed to an increase in binge-drinking among youths, and effectively reduced the drinking age from 17 to 14.
The commission recommended lifting the purchase age from 18 to 20, making it illegal for those under 20 to drink or have alcohol in a public place, and making it illegal to supply alcohol to under 18s, unless it comes from the parents and in a responsible manner.
The Government has already said raising the excise tax on alcohol by 50% was "extremely unlikely".
The purchase age for alcohol has always been considered a conscience vote issue, though some MPs support having all alcohol issues as a party issue.
Mr Key said he did not know James personally and declined to comment on his death out of respect for the family.
