The Criminal Cases Review Commission has received its 500th application in less than five years

Te Kahui undertakes independent reviews of criminal convictions and sentences for people who believe they may have suffered a miscarriage of justice.

Of the 502 applications received to date, 91 percent have been male - and 40 percent Maori.

In the past two years, four referrals to appellate courts were made.

Of those, two convictions were set aside - while two others await hearings.