Tearful Banks' plea on teen drinking

Mayor John Banks (right) made a statement at the inquest into the death of teen James Webster (left). Photos / Supplied, NZPA

After hearing his son admit he encouraged alcohol-poisoning victim James Webster to drink, a tearful John Banks accepted responsibility for the boy's actions "because that's what a father should do".

Mr Banks, the mayor of Auckland City and a leading candidate in the race for the Super City mayoralty, broke down in tears in the witness box as he read a personal statement to the inquest into James' death.

His son Alex Banks, 16, admitted encouraging an already-drunk James to drink more alcohol at a party on May 8. He died from acute alcohol poisoning hours later.

"Mr Webster could just as easily be me giving this evidence now and my son could have been the deceased," Mr Banks said.

"The tragedy could strike any family at any time."

Listening to the evidence had left him saddened and bewildered.

"As a father, I have done my best to teach my two sons what is right and what is wrong."

He pleaded with parents to be vigilant with their sons, and apologised for the actions of his own.

"We love our boy and we've done our best and I accept responsibilities for his actions, that's what a father should do. But it doesn't make the pain any easier."

Mr Banks said he gave up alcohol when he was 24 because of his alcoholic mother.

"My mother slowly killed herself, finally, on a combination of methylated spirits and sherry that she would drink all day, every day."

He told of meeting Charles and Penny Webster soon after the death of their son.

"I have agonised every day with the father and mother of James Webster ... It is such a dreadful tragedy.

"If there is any good that can come from something that is so, so sad, it is that maybe we can save the lives of another James Webster by fathers clearly spelling out to their sons that alcohol can be dangerous and binge drinking can kill you ... Binge drinking can kill you."

He then left the inquest - before coroner Gordon Matenga - in tears.

Alex Banks said he had encouraged James, a friend since third form, to drink but it was "only for fun ... It was fun at the time".

He encouraged him by telling him to keep drinking despite knowing he was drunk.

Alex shared a bottle of Jagermeister with James, who had his own bottle of the spirit hidden under a table.

The two took turns at having shots of it while they talked about the gym and girls.

James was getting drunker and drunker, falling asleep and "all over the place".

Alex said he gave him a bottle of water to sober him up but it had no effect.

Once he downed the water James then knocked back 50ml of vodka, "like it was nothing. He was basically gone from there".

Before the party they spoke about what they would do.

"We discussed at length the intention to get drunk and have a good time."

A lawyer acting for the Websters, Stuart Connolly, asked him why he brought alcohol to the party when the invitation said it was forbidden.

He answered: "James was doing it, so I thought I would do it."