The pop star told about 60 teenagers at the Youthline Coca-Cola personal development workshop at the Scenic Hotel and Conference Centre he was sharing his story, which he said was not dissimilar to Once were Warriors, in a bid to prove "there is more to life than the now".
"When I was 15 I wanted to quit school, go home and smoke dope and have kids.
"That is really what I thought my life would be like."
It was not until his family moved to Australia and escaped the clutches of abuse that he was able to realise his life purpose as a musician, he said.
"We didn’t have anything, we didn’t have any money and my dad was not really in our lives.
"My mum did the best she could."
Walker’s talk prompted questions from the teenagers about why he decided to change the direction of his life, how he coped when he was experiencing such difficulties and a request for him to sing.
While he could only muster a few lines of Happy Birthday because of a sore throat, his talk was met with loud applause.
Youth at the free workshop would also hear anti-bullying campaigner Ashleigh Smith (19) discuss leadership, resilience and how to develop skills to stand up for others.
Miss Smith was given a young leaders award by the Queen for her work to address bullying last month.
The workshop continues today.
