It reported Maori children had twice the number of hospital admissions for medical conditions than European children; and 30 per cent of young Maori were not in education, employment or training compared with 9.4 per cent of Europeans.
Hazardous drinking rates amongst Maori men sat at 59 per cent, the national rate was 15 per cent or 24 per cent for the region as a whole.
Hawke's Bay also has the fifth poorest child population of 20 DHBs in New Zealand - with half of children born into deprivation deciles 9 and 10.
Mr Wills spoke about child abuse and poverty, the impact it had locally and what was already being done to combat the problem.
"These outcomes cost all of society, so it is appropriate that child poverty be a focus for Government, business, local government and communities," he said.
"There are things we are doing right now that are having a powerful impact on outcomes."
Making health services more accessible, safe, healthy homes more affordable, providing support through the community and education as well as ensuring families were stable and nurturing meant poverty need not be destiny, he said.
Already an increased focus had seen admissions of children to Hawke's Bay Hospital for non-accidental injuries decrease by two-thirds, more children in deprivation deciles 9 and 10 being fully immunised and smoking statistics for teen girls plummet - with the largest fall for Maori.
However those improvements alone were not enough, child poverty rates were still more than double what they were in the 1980s, meaning higher rates of illness, failure in the education system, and long-term poor health and employment outcomes.
"There are simple things we can all do in our own lives that materially improve outcomes for children in poverty. In services these include measuring access and attendance rates, having a plan for those children who are not coming, and publishing results back to our communities so we are accountable to them."
Everyone should aim to be informed by reading resources such as the EAG Report or Child Poverty Monitor, and ensure they shared those findings.
Roy Morgan polling before the election showed poverty and inequality were the highest ranked concern for voters, showing there was more support for the issue than ever before.
"This confirms for me that New Zealanders care deeply and expect Government to do the best it can for the vulnerable in our society," he said.
The biennial conference was hosted by Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated and held at the Hawke's Bay Racing Centre and featured keynote speakers Te Aute College old boy Professor Sir Mason Durie and NKII chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana.
