"Unemployment may be an issue now but in 30 years it will be lack of a skilled labour force.
"My hope is that conversations like this will mean we can focus on how we can change these statistics," Mr Yule said.
Maori community leader Des Ratima advocated the importance of community and instilling a sense of belonging in children.
Former Green Party MP Sue Bradford spoke of the need for a left-wing think tank and for change to the social-welfare structure.
Ms Bradford called the current social-welfare system one of "disentitlement and punishment".
Recently she spent three days helping more than 500 Mangere beneficiaries receive their full entitlement from work and income. The scale of desperation had been disheartening; people were banging on the windows, in need of food and rent.
"Its a very deliberate ploy by the Government to make getting a benefit as difficult as possible."
The Government wanted 100,000 off the benefit and working in 10 years, she said. But at what cost?
"People choosing to stay at home to care for their babies or sick elders have the right to do so."
Ms Bradford left Parliament in 2009 and co-ordinates Auckland Action Against Poverty.
"All people deserve to have the best chance in life," she said.
