Staggering statistics on criminal convictions have raised further concern over institutionalised racism.

An article in LawTalk magazine shows half of all Māori and Pacific men born in 1978 have a criminal conviction.

A third of all men born in the same year also have a conviction.

Victoria University criminology lecturer Liam Martin says it's further proof our punitive approach to justice isn't working.

"The prison boom of the last 30 years has been concentrated overwhelmingly among poor people of colour in New Zealand. This is a really kind of potent sign of deep inequalities."

Martin says our approach to law and order needs to change.

"I feel more hopeful at the moment than I have for a long time that we might change course away from this destructive, punitive path that we've been on for about 30 years."

A quarter of New Zealanders born in 1978 also have a conviction.

The Government has appointed a panel to review the justice system.